Tuning Overview: Biffy Clyro's Oceanic F

The "Biffy Clyro's Oceanic F" tuning, famously employed by Biffy Clyro in tracks like "The Conversation Is..." and "I'm Behind You", is a unique and resonant guitar tuning. It diverges significantly from standard EADGBe, creating a soundscape that is both deep and expansive. This tuning invites experimentation with open, ringing voicings and powerful low-end riffs.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine diving into a vast sonic ocean; that's the feeling this tuning evokes. With its lowest string plunging to C2 and the next to F2, it offers an incredibly deep and heavy foundation, perfect for powerful, driving rock or progressive soundscapes. The widely spaced low notes provide a massive, resonant sustain, while the higher strings, tuned to perfect fourths, maintain a sense of familiarity and playability for lead lines and open chord voicings. It's a tuning that sounds both dark and bright, capable of both menacing riffs and shimmering, atmospheric passages. Players will find that traditional chord shapes need significant re-learning, but the rewards are unique harmonic possibilities and a signature sound.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the open strings to C2-F2-D3-G3-C4-F4 (from low to high).

• The two lowest strings (C2, F2) are a perfect fourth apart, providing a strong, resonant bass foundation.
• The subsequent strings (D3, G3, C4, F4) are all tuned in perfect fourths. This creates a consistent interval structure across the higher four strings, making certain arpeggios and voicings intuitive once the initial adjustment is made.
• Overall, the tuning is characterized by a C-F-D-G-C-F structure. While the open strings together do not form a single standard triad, they contain strong elements of C, F, and G.
• Open Chords and Voicings:
  • A C power chord (C-G-C) can be easily achieved by strumming strings 6, 3, and 2.
  • An F power chord (F-C-F) can be formed by strumming strings 5, 2, and 1.
  • The open strings contain the notes C, D, F, G. Strumming all strings produces a rich, open sound that leans towards a C suspended 4th with an added 9th (Cadd9sus4) or a C Mixolydian quality, creating a wide, open texture.
  • The consistent perfect fourths on the top four strings (D-G-C-F) make it excellent for crafting modal melodies and voicings that are characteristic of jazz or modern rock.
• This tuning provides a wide harmonic palette, capable of producing both dense, heavy riffs and bright, open melodic ideas. Its unique interval structure encourages creative fingerings and a fresh approach to the fretboard.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Biffy Clyro's Oceanic F" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. This is a significant drop, resulting in much lower string tension.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. This also results in significantly lower string tension.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4. This is a minor adjustment, slightly increasing tension.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 1 semitone to F4. This is a minor adjustment, slightly increasing tension.

Important Considerations:
While none of the tuning changes strictly *exceed* +/- 4 semitones (which would strongly advise a new string gauge), the -4 semitone drops on the low E and A strings are substantial. This will result in noticeably looser string tension on these strings compared to standard. For optimal playability and intonation, especially if you plan to use this tuning extensively, considering a heavier gauge for the low C and F strings might be beneficial to maintain appropriate tension and prevent fret buzz. Conversely, the slight increase in tension for the B and high E strings (now C and F) is minimal and typically does not require a gauge change. Always tune slowly and carefully.

• String 6: C2 (Lowest string)
• String 5: F2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: C4
• String 1: F4 (Highest string)