Haley Heynderickx 'No Face' Tuning: A Deep Dive

This tuning, specifically crafted for Haley Heynderickx's evocative song 'No Face', is a truly distinctive and atmospheric arrangement. It moves dramatically away from standard guitar tunings, creating a sonic landscape that is both resonant and haunting. The deep, rumbling low A provides a grounding force, while the higher strings introduce unexpected and sometimes dissonant intervals that captivate the ear, perfectly capturing a mood of introspection or mystery. It's a tuning designed for expressive fingerstyle or delicate strumming, where the unique voicings of the open strings can truly sing, hinting at both resolve and lingering questions. It invites players to explore non-traditional harmonies and find beauty in its inherent tensions.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are A1-A2-D#4-F#4-A#4-C#5 (from 6th to 1st string). The foundation is a powerful A octave drone established by the 6th and 5th strings (A1, A2). Intriguingly, the top three strings (3, 2, 1) form a distinct F# major triad (F#4-A#4-C#5), creating a bright, clear voice in the upper register. However, the presence of D#4 on the 4th string (an augmented fourth from the low A, or a minor sixth from F#) and the A#4 on the 2nd string (a minor ninth from the low A) introduces significant harmonic tension. This results in an overall open chord featuring the notes A, D#, F#, A#, C#, which does not resolve into a conventional major or minor chord. Instead, it presents a complex, suspended sound with a strong tritone (A-D#) and minor second (A-A#) dissonance.

This particular arrangement allows for unique open string voicings, with an F# major chord readily available on the high strings (strings 3, 2, 1). The low A drone paired with this F# major triad offers compelling opportunities for melodic movement against a stable bass. It's an excellent tuning for exploring modern folk, experimental, or ambient textures where conventional harmony is deliberately challenged, providing a rich, complex canvas for creative expression.

How to Tune for Haley Heynderickx 'No Face'

To achieve this unique tuning, adjust your guitar strings as follows. Always use a reliable tuner and tune carefully, especially when making significant pitch changes.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones from E to A1. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone and proceed with care.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitone from D to D#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone from B to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#5.

6th String: The lowest string is tuned to A1, providing a deep and resonant bass foundation, an octave below the open 5th string.

5th String: The 5th string is tuned to A2, reinforcing the low A drone and creating a powerful octave with the 6th string.

4th String: The 4th string is tuned to D#4, which is an augmented fourth (or tritone) relative to the low A, adding a distinctive tension and colour to the open voicing.

3rd String: The 3rd string is tuned to F#4, forming the root of an F# major triad on the higher strings, creating a bright and clear voice.

2nd String: The 2nd string is tuned to A#4, which is the major third of the F# major chord. However, when considered against the low A, it creates a minor second interval, contributing to the tuning's unique dissonance.

1st String: The highest string is tuned to C#5, completing the F# major triad on the top strings and providing the major third interval relative to the low A.