ADGCFA - A Standard Tuning for 6-String Guitar

This tuning, often referred to as A Standard, is a full step down from B Standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B) or effectively a minor third below C Standard. With notes A1-D2-G2-C3-F3-A3, it provides a significantly deeper and heavier sonic palette compared to the more common E Standard. It maintains the familiar interval structure of E Standard tuning, which means all your existing chord shapes and scale patterns are fully transferable, just transposed down to a lower pitch.

Verbal Analysis:

A Standard tuning offers a rich, resonant, and powerful sound, perfect for genres that demand a heavier tone, such as hard rock, metal, and progressive music. The lowered pitch creates a thicker low end, making riffs sound more crushing and solos more commanding. Despite its depth, the consistent interval structure allows for smooth transitions for players accustomed to standard tunings, avoiding the learning curve associated with more radical open or altered tunings. This tuning can make your guitar feel more expressive in its lower register, adding a new dimension to your playing.

Technical Analysis:

• Instrument: 6-String Guitar
• Tuning Notes: A1, D2, G2, C3, F3, A3 (from lowest to highest string).
• Interval Structure: The intervals between the strings (from low to high) are: Perfect Fourth (A-D), Perfect Fourth (D-G), Perfect Fourth (G-C), Perfect Fourth (C-F), and Major Third (F-A). This is identical to the interval pattern of E Standard tuning (P4, P4, P4, M3, P4).
• Comparison: This tuning is a whole step (2 semitones) lower than B Standard (B-E-A-D-G-B). It is also 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) lower than E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E). Its consistency with E Standard's interval pattern makes it highly intuitive for many guitarists.

Open Chords and Playability:

The open strings of A Standard tuning lend themselves to several interesting chord voicings and make many familiar shapes easily accessible:

• F Major Triad (C-F-A): Strumming the open 3rd (C3), 2nd (F3), and 1st (A3) strings creates an open F Major chord.
• D Minor Triad (D-F-A): Strumming the open 5th (D2), 2nd (F3), and 1st (A3) strings yields an open D Minor chord.
• Power Chords: The bottom strings (A1-D2-G2-C3-F3) are all tuned in perfect fourths, making two-finger power chords (root-fifth) incredibly easy and consistent across the lowest five strings. For example, open A5 (A1-D2), D5 (D2-G2), etc.
• Transferred Shapes: All standard chord and scale fingerings from E Standard or B Standard are directly applicable here, simply sounding in a lower key. Barre chords are particularly easy to adapt.

Here are the individual notes for each string, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

6th String (Low E string equivalent): A1 (tuned to an A in the first octave, the lowest note)

5th String (A string equivalent): D2 (tuned to a D in the second octave)

4th String (D string equivalent): G2 (tuned to a G in the second octave)

3rd String (G string equivalent): C3 (tuned to a C in the third octave)

2nd String (B string equivalent): F3 (tuned to an F in the third octave)

1st String (High E string equivalent): A3 (tuned to an A in the third octave, the highest note)

How to Tune to A Standard (ADGCFA)

To achieve ADGCFA tuning, you will need to adjust your guitar strings from a starting reference tuning. Based on the provided string movements, this tuning assumes you are starting from B Standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B) and tuning each string down by 2 semitones (a whole step).

Important Note on String Gauge: Generally, tuning up or down more than 3 or 4 semitones (e.g., -4 or +4) is a significant change that often requires a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension, tone, and intonation. Since these movements are only 2 semitones down, standard gauge strings should still be suitable. However, for the best performance and to truly embrace the lower registers, considering a slightly heavier gauge set specifically designed for lower tunings is always recommended.

Here's a breakdown of how to tune each string:

• 6th String: If currently at B1, tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• 5th String: If currently at E2, tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 4th String: If currently at A2, tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• 3rd String: If currently at D3, tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 2nd String: If currently at G3, tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 1st String: If currently at B3, tune down 2 semitones to A3.

Always use a reliable tuner to ensure accuracy. If you were to tune from E Standard, the string movements would be much more significant (7 semitones down for each string), which would absolutely require a heavier gauge string set to maintain proper tension and intonation.