The C F B E G C# Guitar Tuning

This intriguing tuning, named C F B E G C#, presents a highly unconventional and deeply resonant soundscape for the guitar. Originating from a concept for a five-stringed fictional instrument with an added C# string, it truly pushes the boundaries of standard guitar voicings.

Verbal Analysis

The tuning immediately strikes with a profoundly low bass courtesy of the C2 string, providing a strong foundation. The overall character is dark and somewhat complex due to the unusual intervallic relationships. The upper register is dramatically punctuated by the extremely high C#5 on the first string, creating a stark contrast and a piercing, almost bell-like quality. This extreme high note, especially following the G3 string, opens up possibilities for bright melodic lines or soaring arpeggios that stand out against the deeper harmony. It's a tuning that doesn't lend itself to easy strumming of common chords but instead invites exploration into experimental, avant-garde, or ambient sound textures. The description notes the C#5 string was an addition, underscoring its unique and possibly non-standard role within the setup.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are (from low E to high e standard positions): C2 - F2 - B2 - E3 - G3 - C#5.

Compared to standard E tuning (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), all strings are tuned down significantly:

• String 6 (C2): Tuned down a major third from E2.
• String 5 (F2): Tuned down a perfect fifth from A2.
• String 4 (B2): Tuned down a perfect fourth from D3.
• String 3 (E3): Tuned down a perfect fourth from G3.
• String 2 (G3): Tuned down a perfect fourth from B3.
• String 1 (C#5): Tuned to an extremely high C#5. This note is significantly higher than the standard E4, and the tuning instruction suggests a movement of down 3 semitones from an implied E5, which is unusual for a standard E string. It's an octave and a semitone above C#4.

The intervallic structure between the open strings is:

• C2 to F2: Perfect 4th (P4)
• F2 to B2: Augmented 4th / Tritone (A4)
• B2 to E3: Perfect 4th (P4)
• E3 to G3: Minor 3rd (m3)
• G3 to C#5: Compound Augmented 4th / Tritone + Octave (P8+A4)

The presence of multiple tritones (F-B and G-C#) and the wide, almost two-octave jump from G3 to C#5 make this tuning highly dissonant and open when strummed. This suggests it's not designed for conventional chord progressions but rather for arpeggiated figures, specific melodic lines, or sonic textures where the unusual intervals can be exploited.

Open Chords and Possibilities

Strumming all open strings (C-F-B-E-G-C#) produces a complex, dissonant sound. It does not form a simple major or minor chord. However, elements of a C Major triad (C, E, G) are present on strings 6, 3, and 2. With careful fingering, one might find:

• C Major Triad: By muting or avoiding the F2, B2, and C#5 strings, a C major triad can be formed with C2, E3, G3. This offers a clear anchor for tonal exploration.
• Exploratory Voicings: The tuning's unique intervals are ripe for creating unique two or three-note voicings. For instance, the low C-F interval is a strong perfect fourth, while the F-B tritone offers tension that can be used melodically or harmonically.
• Arpeggios: The wide range and specific note choices make this tuning excellent for intricate arpeggios, allowing individual notes to ring out and highlight the unusual harmonic relationships. The high C#5 can be used as a bright, ringing top note in melodic patterns, creating a stark contrast to the deeper strings.

How to Tune Your Guitar to C F B E G C#

To achieve the C F B E G C# tuning, you will be tuning down every string from standard E A D G B e tuning. Please exercise caution when adjusting string tension and consider a different string gauge for strings that are significantly altered. As a general rule, if you are tuning a string down or up by 4 or more semitones, a different gauge string is often advised for optimal playability, tension, and tone.

• String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones from its standard E2 pitch to C2. (Note: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tone and tension.)
• String 5 (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones from its standard A2 pitch to F2. (Note: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tone and tension.)
• String 4 (D to B2): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard D3 pitch to B2.
• String 3 (G to E3): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard G3 pitch to E3.
• String 2 (B to G3): Tune down 4 semitones from its standard B3 pitch to G3. (Note: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tone and tension.)
• String 1 (High E to C#5): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note for this string is C#5. (Note: It's important to clarify that if starting from a standard E4 string, tuning down 3 semitones would typically result in C#4, not C#5. Given the target note of C#5 and the description of this being an 'added' string for a fictional instrument, achieving C#5 would likely require a specialized setup, an extremely light gauge string at very high tension, or an alternative base pitch from which the 3 semitones are dropped. Proceed with caution, as reaching C#5 from a standard E4 on a typical guitar may prove challenging or require extreme string tension.)