Tuning Overview: A#DFCFA - Capo 5

This unique tuning, primarily used for playing 'twinkly emo' music, transforms the guitar into a vibrant and resonant soundscape. Described as an 'facgce' tuning with a capo at the 5th fret, its resulting open notes create a rich, complex harmony.

Verbal Analysis

The tuning's character is bright and energetic, perfectly suited for the intricate arpeggios and chiming chord voicings common in twinkly emo. The high tension across most strings, resulting from significant upward tuning movements, contributes to a 'snappy' feel and extended sustain. While the open tuning presents a somewhat dissonant low end, the upper strings harmonise beautifully, creating a shimmering, almost bell-like quality. The capo at the 5th fret naturally raises the pitch significantly, contributing to its distinctive, higher-register sound.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to A#3, D3, F3, C4, F4, A4. Analysing the intervals from the lowest string (A#3):

• String 6 (A#3): The root of the open voicing.
• String 5 (D3): A minor third above A#3.
• String 4 (F3): A diminished fifth (tritone) above A#3, or a minor third above D3. The combination of A#3, D3, and F3 forms an A# diminished triad.
• String 3 (C4): A major second above A#3, or a perfect fourth above F3.
• String 2 (F4): A perfect fourth above A#3, or a perfect fourth above C4. This is an octave higher than the F3 on string 4.
• String 1 (A4): A major sixth above A#3, or a major third above F4.

Collectively, the open tuning offers a complex chord: A#3-D3-F3-C4-F4-A4. Notably, the top four strings (F3-C4-F4-A4, effectively F-C-F-A) strongly outline an open F major chord, which provides a comfortable harmonic foundation for melodic playing and arpeggiation. The lower A# and D notes add a unique flavour, allowing for rich, extended voicings. Players can readily access F major and related chords across the higher strings, while the lower strings offer opportunities for dissonant or leading-tone bass lines, characteristic of the genre.

How to Tune Your Guitar

This tuning involves significant upward movements for most strings. Please exercise caution and consider using a heavier gauge string set for optimal performance and to prevent string breakage, especially for movements greater than 4 semitones up or down. Always tune slowly and carefully.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 6 semitones to A3#. As this is a 6 semitone upward movement, a different gauge string is strongly advised due to increased tension.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 5 semitones to D3. This is a significant upward movement, so a different gauge string is advised.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 3 semitones to F3. This movement is within a moderate range for standard strings, but tune with care.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 5 semitones to C4. This is a significant upward movement, so a different gauge string is advised.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 6 semitones to F4. As this is a 6 semitone upward movement, a different gauge string is strongly advised due to increased tension.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 5 semitones to A4. This is a significant upward movement, so a different gauge string is advised.

After tuning the open strings, place a capo at the 5th fret to achieve the final desired voicing for this specific tuning.