The 'Days of Lantana' tuning for guitar, as used by Ben Howard, presents a rich and complex sonic landscape. This tuning is specifically crafted to bring out a unique character, departing significantly from standard EADGBe tuning. The original context suggests this tuning is a step up from an even lower starting point used in the song's initial conception, highlighting its purposeful design.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning, C-E-A-D-G-C, creates an immediate sense of openness and harmonic richness. The low C string provides a deep, resonant foundation, while the subsequent E, A, D, G, and high C strings build a full, extended chord. The overall feel is bright yet full-bodied, lending itself beautifully to intricate fingerstyle passages, arpeggios, and expansive chord voicings. The presence of both low and high C strings provides a strong, unifying root, making it easy to establish a key center.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: C2 - E2 - A2 - D3 - G3 - C4 (low to high).
• Open Chord: Strumming all open strings produces a C Major 6/9 chord. The notes C, E, G, A, and D are all present, creating a sophisticated and jazzy-folk quality.
• Intervals from Low C (C2): Unison, Major 3rd (E), Major 6th (A), Major 9th (D), Perfect 5th (G), Octave (C).
• The distinct interval structure encourages innovative chord shapes and melodic exploration beyond conventional guitar approaches. The lowest C string provides a powerful bass, making the tuning suitable for solo guitar arrangements or accompanying vocals with a full sound.

Open Chords and Possibilities

The inherent harmonic complexity of the C Major 6/9 chord on open strings makes this tuning instantly gratifying. Moving this open shape up the neck via a barre allows for easy access to other Major 6/9 chords (e.g., barre at the 2nd fret yields D6/9). The strong C and E on the bottom strings provide a solid C major foundation, making common C, F, and G chords accessible with altered voicings. The open D and A strings offer opportunities for suspensions, extensions, and modal coloring, particularly over C major or G major progressions. The tuning is exceptionally versatile for creating unique textures in folk, acoustic, and contemporary styles.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Days of Lantana' tuning (C-E-A-D-G-C), you will make the following adjustments. These instructions assume you are starting from a B-E-A-D-G-B tuning (standard tuning down a half-step, often referred to as 'Half-Step Down'):

• 6th String (Low E string): Start at B1, then tune up 1 semitone to C2.
• 5th String (A string): Start at E2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E2.
• 4th String (D string): Start at A2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• 3rd String (G string): Start at D3, keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• 2nd String (B string): Start at G3, keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• 1st String (High E string): Start at B3, then tune up 1 semitone to C4.

Important Note: When adjusting string tension, always exercise caution. Small semitone adjustments are generally safe for standard gauge strings. However, if any tuning instruction required tuning up or down more than 4 semitones, it would be advisable to consider using a different gauge string set to prevent potential string breakage or neck damage. In this particular tuning, the adjustments are minimal and well within safe limits for typical guitar strings.