Description

This is a distinctive and heavy tuning, famously used by Oh Sleeper for their song "Hush Yael." It moves significantly away from standard guitar tuning, particularly with its incredibly dropped low A string, which creates a deep, resonant foundation. The open strings, when strummed together, form a rich and complex F6add9 chord, perfect for powerful, open voicings and intricate melodic exploration. It lends itself well to genres like metalcore, progressive metal, and heavy rock, where massive low-end and unique harmonic textures are desired. The significant drop on the low string allows for earth-shattering riffs and breakdowns, while the inherent chordal structure invites more melodic and atmospheric passages.

Technically, this tuning features a radical alteration from standard EADGBe. The open strings are A1-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4. The core of the tuning is centered around an F6add9 chord (F-A-C-D-G). When played open, the string set provides the notes A, G, C, F, A, D, which when stacked from F (the implied root) creates F (root), A (major 3rd), C (perfect 5th), D (major 6th), G (major 9th), and A (octave of 3rd). The lowest string (A1) is tuned down a full seven semitones from standard E, providing an exceptionally deep and resonant foundation. This drastic drop implies a need for a much heavier gauge string on the 6th string to maintain tension and intonation. The remaining strings are all tuned down two semitones, creating a consistent interval structure that facilitates easy chord shapes and melodic runs across the middle and upper registers. The consistent down-tuning on the higher strings often makes power chords and barre chords easily transferable with slight adjustments, especially when starting from the F3 string. The deep A1 provides excellent opportunities for low-end drone notes or impactful single-note riffs.

How to Tune

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. Caution: This is a significant drop (beyond 4 semitones). A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent string floppiness.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

6th String: A1

5th String: G2

4th String: C3

3rd String: F3

2nd String: A3

1st String: D4