The "Good Friends with Bad Habits" tuning, famously utilized by Owen (Mike Kinsella), offers a unique sonic landscape, diverging significantly from standard EADGBe.

Verbal Analysis:

This tuning immediately creates a rich, open, and somewhat melancholic sound, characteristic of Owen's intricate fingerstyle and arpeggiated compositions. The low C string provides a deep, resonant foundation, while the combination of notes across the open strings lends itself to complex harmonic textures without extensive fretting. It encourages open voicings, drone notes, and suspended chords, making it ideal for expressive, reflective music. The name itself suggests a certain bittersweet quality, perfectly mirrored in the tuning's capacity for both warmth and tension.

Technical Analysis:

From a technical standpoint, the tuning is C2 A2 E3 G3 B3 D4. When compared to standard E Standard tuning, the modifications are:

• The low E string is dropped a significant four semitones to C.
• The D string is raised two semitones to E.
• The high E string is dropped two semitones to D.
• The A, G, and B strings remain at their standard pitches.

The open strings themselves form a complex and beautiful chord: a Cmaj9add6 (C-E-G-B-D-A) or an Am11 (A-C-E-G-B-D). This abundance of harmonic information means that many open-string patterns will yield sophisticated chords, fostering a distinctive sound. The low C and the high D create an interval of a major ninth, which can be both resonant and slightly dissonant, adding depth and character. The proximity of E and D on the high strings also allows for interesting suspensions and leading tones. This tuning is excellent for creating expansive, ringing arpeggios and dense chordal voicings with minimal effort.

Here are the notes for each string in the "Good Friends with Bad Habits" tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string:

• String 6 (Low C): C2
• String 5 (A): A2
• String 4 (E): E3
• String 3 (G): G3
• String 2 (B): B3
• String 1 (High D): D4

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Good Friends with Bad Habits" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E to C): Tune down 4 semitones. (Note: Dropping this string by 4 semitones is significant. While generally safe, if you frequently use this tuning, you might consider a slightly heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 5 (A to A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D to E): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 3 (G to G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B to B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E to D): Tune down 2 semitones.

Always tune carefully and gently to avoid string breakage, especially when tuning up.