Tuning Overview: Every Wave Drop F#

This unique and expansive guitar tuning, sometimes referred to by its note sequence B-A-E-G-B-F#, is famously utilized by Mike Kinsella in the track "Every Wave to Ever Rise." It's described as the album tuning, though live performances may feature variations. This tuning creates a wide sonic palette, characterized by extremely deep bass strings and a bright, elevated high string, making it ideal for intricate melodic lines, arpeggiated figures, and atmospheric soundscapes.

Technical Analysis

The tuning consists of the following open notes:

• String 6: B0 (an exceptionally low B note, significantly below standard low E)
• String 5: A1 (a very deep A, an octave below standard A)
• String 4: E2 (the standard low E note, but here it functions as the 4th string)
• String 3: G3 (standard G note)
• String 2: B3 (standard B note)
• String 1: F#5 (a bright F# note, a perfect 5th above standard high E)

This arrangement results in several striking intervals and harmonic possibilities:

• The lowest two strings (B0, A1) create a wide major 7th interval across an octave, providing a rich, dissonant foundation for complex voicings.
• Strings 4 (E2), 3 (G3), and 2 (B3) form an open E minor triad, allowing for familiar chordal anchors within this unconventional tuning, albeit with the root E being very low.
• The highest string (F#5) is a significant jump from B3 (String 2), forming a perfect fifth across two octaves. This creates a strong, ringing upper register that beautifully complements the deep bass.
• While not immediately forming a conventional open strumming chord, the tuning encourages fingerstyle playing, arpeggios, and melodic exploration due to its wide intervallic structure. Players can leverage the unique relationships for atmospheric textures or suspended chords by focusing on specific note groupings, such as the B power chord formed by the B0 and F#5.

How to Tune

To achieve the Every Wave Drop F# Tuning, follow these string adjustments:

• String 6 (B0): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 5 (A1): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (F#5): Tune up 2 semitones.

Note: All described string movements are within standard safe tuning ranges and do not require specific string gauge changes or extra caution based purely on the semitone movements provided.

The individual notes for each string in this tuning are:

String 6: B0

String 5: A1

String 4: E2

String 3: G3

String 2: B3

String 1: F#5