Tuning Analysis: C F C F G C (Ben Howard's Gracious)

This unique tuning, popularized by Ben Howard in his song "Gracious," offers a rich, resonant sound with a strong open character. It deviates significantly from standard tuning, creating a lush soundscape perfect for intricate fingerstyle playing and atmospheric compositions.

Verbal Analysis

The C F C F G C tuning immediately evokes a sense of openness and vastness. The repeated C and F notes across different octaves provide a deep, droning quality, while the G adds a subtle harmonic tension, forming a distinct C suspended 4th chord. This makes for a naturally full and harmonically rich open strum. The intervals between strings are quite wide in places, allowing for interesting voicings and ringing tones. It’s particularly well-suited for percussive techniques and melodic lines that utilize the open strings, characteristic of Ben Howard's style.

Technical Analysis

The tuning is C2-F2-C3-F3-G3-C4. Analysing the intervals from the lowest string:

• String 6 (C2): The root note, establishing a deep foundation.
• String 5 (F2): A perfect fourth above C2.
• String 4 (C3): An octave above C2 and a perfect fifth above F2.
• String 3 (F3): An octave above F2 and a perfect fourth above C3.
• String 2 (G3): A major second above F3 and a perfect fifth above C3.
• String 1 (C4): A perfect fourth above G3 and an octave above C3.

When all strings are played open, they form a C suspended 4th chord (C-F-G-C). This creates a powerful, sustained drone. The repeated C and F notes across octaves provide a grand, harmonically rich texture. Because of the consistent C-F-C-F-G-C pattern, many fingerings will naturally resolve into these notes, making it easier to find complementary chords and melodic phrases within the C and F tonalities, and hinting at G Major. Simple barre shapes will likely yield variations of C sus4, F major, or G sus4 chords, offering a unique sonic palette compared to standard tuning.

How to Tune from Standard E A D G B E

To achieve the C F C F G C tuning, you will need to adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones to G3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 4 semitones to C4.

Please note that tuning multiple strings down by 4 semitones will result in significantly reduced string tension. While not exceeding the threshold where a different string gauge is advised (greater than 4 semitones), players may find the strings feel looser and potentially more difficult to keep intonated, especially if playing aggressively. Lighter gauge strings may feel very slack in this tuning. Always proceed with caution when making significant tuning changes.

6th String: C2

5th String: F2

4th String: C3

3rd String: F3

2nd String: G3

1st String: C4