Overview: CFCGCE Slack-Key Tuning

This unique tuning, known as CFCGCE, is a beautiful example of a Slack-Key guitar tuning, famously utilized by William Tyler in his composition "Kingdom of Jones." Slack-key tunings, originating from Hawaii, often reconfigure the standard guitar to provide a rich, resonant sound where open strings form a consonant chord, facilitating drone notes and fingerstyle playing.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning provides a full, open sound, resonating with a strong C Major character. The open strings C-F-C-G-C-E create a lush harmonic landscape. While largely centered around C Major (C-E-G), the inclusion of the F note on the 5th string adds a distinctive suspended 4th quality, or perhaps an "add4" flavor, especially when strummed openly. This gives the tuning a slightly melancholic or yearning quality, while still feeling firmly rooted in C. The arrangement of notes lends itself perfectly to droning on the open C and G strings, creating a sustained, hypnotic effect common in slack-key styles.

The open chord configuration makes it exceptionally easy to create new chords by simply barring across the frets. Sliding a single finger up the neck opens up a world of corresponding suspended 4th chords in different keys. The lower strings (C-F-C) provide a deep, resonant bass foundation, while the higher strings (G-C-E) complete the C Major triad, offering bright, clear melodic possibilities.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: C2 - F2 - C3 - G3 - C4 - E4 (from low E to high E string).
• Chord Structure: The open strings form a C major chord with an added F. Specifically, it can be viewed as C(add4) or Cmaj(sus4). The intervals from the lowest C are: Root (C), Perfect 4th (F), Octave (C), Perfect 5th (G), Octave (C), Major 3rd (E).
• Chord Voicings:
  • Strumming all open strings yields a C(add4) or C(sus4) sound, providing a rich, full open chord.
  • By muting or avoiding the 5th string (F2), a clear C Major triad (C-C-G-C-E) can be achieved.
  • Barring all strings at the 1st fret creates a C#(add4) chord.
  • Barring all strings at the 5th fret yields an F(add4) chord (F-Bb-F-C-F-A).
  • Due to the open chord structure, common barre chord shapes can be easily adapted to create variations of major and suspended chords up and down the neck.
• Drones and Harmonics: The numerous C and G notes across the strings are ideal for creating sustained drone effects, especially effective for fingerstyle pieces. Natural harmonics at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets will ring out beautifully, often reinforcing the C major harmony.

How to Tune Your Guitar to CFCGCE

To achieve this specific slack-key tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these steps carefully for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. This is a significant drop from E, moving through Eb, D, Db, to C.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. This is also a notable decrease from A, moving through Ab, G, Gb, to F.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3. This means moving from D, through Db, to C.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4. This is a minor adjustment, moving from B to C.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at E4.

Important Note on String Tension: Tuning down by 4 semitones (String 6 and 5) results in significantly reduced string tension. While generally safe, if you frequently use tunings with such large drops, or if you need to tune up by more than 4 semitones (which is not the case here), considering a different string gauge might be advisable for optimal playability and string longevity.

Here are the notes for each string in the CFCGCE tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent): C2
• String 5 (A Equivalent): F2
• String 4 (D Equivalent): C3
• String 3 (G Equivalent): G3
• String 2 (B Equivalent): C4
• String 1 (High E Equivalent): E4