About the Tuning

This unique tuning, C C F G A C, is an imaginative adaptation of a traditional Guqin tuning for the modern guitar. It opens up with a rich, resonant Fadd9 chord, offering a distinctive sonic landscape that beautifully blends ancient East Asian aesthetics with contemporary guitar capabilities.

Verbal Analysis

The C C F G A C tuning immediately establishes a deep and expansive atmosphere due to the prominent low C drone (C2 and C3). This creates a meditative and somewhat ethereal quality, making it ideal for fingerstyle arrangements, ambient soundscapes, or compositions aiming for a rich, sustained resonance. The open Fadd9 chord is bright yet complex, inviting exploration of harmonies that feel both ancient and fresh. The spacing of the upper strings (F-G-A-C) lends itself to fluid melodic lines, arpeggios, and effortless suspensions, providing a wonderful canvas for expressive playing. This tuning encourages an open, ringing style, allowing notes to sustain and intertwine, producing a sound that can be both powerful and serene.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is structured as C2-C3-F3-G3-A3-C4. The open strings form an Fadd9 chord (F-A-C-G), with the two lowest C strings providing a powerful octave root and drone effect. The intervals relative to the F3 (root on the 4th string) are: G3 (9th), A3 (major 3rd), and C4 (perfect 5th). This arrangement inherently supports F major tonalities and their related modes. The distinct note arrangement offers several harmonic and melodic advantages:

• Open Fadd9: The entire open tuning forms this beautiful chord, providing an immediate and ringing foundation for compositions.
• F Major Chords: Easily accessible due to the F, A, and C notes present within the tuning. Barre chords can be very effective for shifting this open voicing up the neck.
• C Major/Minor Chords: The strong C roots (C2, C3) mean that C-centric chords, including C major, C minor, and various suspensions, will resonate powerfully and be relatively easy to fret across the neck.
• Melodic Opportunities: The consecutive F-G-A on strings 4, 3, and 2, along with the high C, offer a natural melodic scale fragment (derived from the F Lydian or C Major scale) that facilitates intricate runs and arpeggios with minimal fretting, encouraging a flowing, lyrical playing style.

How to Tune

To achieve the C C F G A C tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these precise adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones (E2 to C2). Note: This is a significant change; consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 3 semitones (A2 to C3).
• String 4 (D): Tune up 3 semitones (D3 to F3).
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (G3 to G3).
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones (B3 to A3).
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones (E4 to C4). Note: This is a significant change; consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.