This unique tuning, which we'll call A Low Drone (F-D), offers a profound and resonant sound, perfectly suited for genres demanding a heavy, atmospheric, or dark sonic landscape. As mentioned in its discovery, it was found on a 'Lord of the Lost' song, hinting at its potential for industrial, gothic, or heavy metal styles. It's designed to create a powerful drone effect with its multiple A notes across the strings, immediately evoking a sense of deep mystery and tension.

The arrangement of notes allows for rich, complex voicings even with open strings. The prominent low A and its octave above create a powerful root foundation. The E (perfect fifth) reinforces this foundation, giving it a strong power-chord feel. The F introduces a dark, minor-sixth quality, while the high D adds an unexpected, almost suspended or Lydian-like tension to the overall tonality. This tuning is not designed for traditional major/minor chord progressions but excels in creating expansive soundscapes, heavy riffs, and arpeggiated patterns that emphasize its unique intervallic structure.

Open chords in this tuning are more accurately described as open voicings or drones. The open strings themselves form a rich, complex cluster: an A minor-ish sound with an added F (minor sixth) and D (perfect fourth/eleventh). This implies a dark, modal character, potentially hinting at A Aeolian or Phrygian dominant scales depending on the melodic context. Barre chords will retain this distinctive intervallic relationship, allowing for consistent harmonic shifts up and down the neck while maintaining the powerful, unique character of the tuning.

Technical Analysis

This tuning descends significantly from standard E Standard tuning, primarily targeting a low A. The notes are arranged as A1-E2-A2-F3-A3-D4 (from the thickest 6th string to the thinnest 1st string). Compared to standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, every string is tuned down:

• Low E String (6th): Tuned down a perfect fifth from E2 to A1.
• A String (5th): Tuned down a perfect fourth from A2 to E2.
• D String (4th): Tuned down a perfect fifth from D3 to A2.
• G String (3rd): Tuned down a major second from G3 to F3.
• B String (2nd): Tuned down a major second from B3 to A3.
• High E String (1st): Tuned down a major second from E4 to D4.

The intervallic structure from the lowest A is: Root (A1), Perfect 5th (E2), Octave (A2), Minor 6th (F3), Octave (A3), Perfect 4th/11th (D4). This creates a unique harmonic landscape, not easily categorized by simple major or minor chords, lending itself to more experimental and heavy music styles.

How to Tune (from Standard E Tuning)

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments, particularly for the lower strings. It is strongly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set to maintain proper tension and intonation, especially for the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings, which are tuned down by 5 or more semitones from standard. Always tune carefully and gradually.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones from E2 to A1. (A different string gauge is advised due to the significant drop).
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. (A different string gauge is advised due to the significant drop).
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones from D3 to A2. (A different string gauge is advised due to the significant drop).
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G3 to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

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

• 6th String: A1 (Low A)
• 5th String: E2 (E an octave below middle C)
• 4th String: A2 (A an octave below middle C)
• 3rd String: F3 (F below middle C)
• 2nd String: A3 (A below middle C)
• 1st String: D4 (D above middle C)