The "Ben Howard Promise" tuning, CFCGFC, is a deeply resonant and atmospheric guitar setup. This tuning departs significantly from standard EADGBe, creating a soundscape that is both rich and open, often associated with the evocative and intricate fingerstyle work of Ben Howard.

Verbal Analysis:

Upon strumming the open strings, you'll be greeted with a full, almost drone-like quality, dominated by the notes C, F, and G. The presence of two low C's (C2 and C3) and two F's (F2 and F3) provides an incredibly deep and harmonically dense foundation. The overall sound leans towards a melancholic yet expansive C major or C suspended 4th, perfect for creating sweeping soundscapes, intricate melodic lines, and powerful, ringing open chords. It's particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing where individual string resonances can truly shine, and for compositions that benefit from a sustained, rich harmonic bed. The unique arrangement encourages exploration of open voicings and melodic patterns that would be challenging in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning layout is C2-F2-C3-G3-F3-C4 (from low E to high E). This arrangement highlights a strong C root, complemented by its perfect fourth (F) and perfect fifth (G). When all strings are strummed open, the resulting chord is a layered C major 4th suspended (Csus4), with a powerful emphasis on the root and fourth due to their octaves. The intervals between strings are primarily perfect fourths and fifths (C-F P4, F-C P5, C-G P5, F-C P5), with the exception of the G3 to F3, which is a minor second up (or major seventh down), creating an interesting tension or melodic possibility. This abundance of perfect intervals contributes to the tuning's resonant and open character. Barring across all strings at various frets will yield movable chord shapes that retain the harmonic qualities of the open tuning, offering a unique voicing for progressions. Chords built around C and F will feel particularly at home and resonant in this tuning, allowing for rich harmonic textures with minimal effort.

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Ben Howard Promise" tuning (CFCGFC), carefully adjust each string from standard EADGBe as follows:

• 6th String (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones.
• 5th String (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones.
• 4th String (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 3rd String (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B to F3): Tune down 6 semitones. Please exercise caution when tuning this string down 6 semitones (a tritone), as such a significant drop may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension, prevent floppiness, and ensure proper intonation.
• 1st String (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones.

Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage, especially with large tuning changes. It's recommended to use a reliable tuner for precise adjustments.