Tuning Overview: Open C Drone with F

This intriguing tuning, originally named 'CFGCGC', offers a rich and resonant soundscape that lends itself beautifully to various playing styles. As the original discoverer noted, it's "Fun to use for tapping, fingerstyle and strumming chords." While it shares a structural similarity to its 7-string counterpart, this 6-string iteration still provides immense creative potential.

Verbal Analysis

The 'Open C Drone with F' tuning immediately strikes the ear with its deep, authoritative low C and a rich, ringing quality across the open strings. The prominent repetition of C and G across multiple octaves creates a powerful drone effect, making it feel expansive and almost orchestral. The inclusion of the F string adds a unique flavor, often creating a suspended or slightly melancholic yet inviting atmosphere. It’s a tuning that encourages experimentation, making complex harmonies feel within reach and open strumming sound full and majestic. It's particularly well-suited for music that benefits from a strong foundational root and harmonically rich, sustained tones.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is based on the notes C2-F2-G2-C3-G3-C4, essentially a C major triad (C-G-C) extended with an additional F note. When strummed open, it creates a rich Cadd4 (or Cmaj11 without the E and B) chord, providing a full, resonant sound. The intervals between the strings are:

• String 6 (C2) to String 5 (F2): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 5 (F2) to String 4 (G2): Major 2nd (M2)
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (C3): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 3 (C3) to String 2 (G3): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 2 (G3) to String 1 (C4): Perfect 4th (P4)

The consistent perfect 4ths and 5ths provide a solid harmonic foundation, making it easy to form powerful, resonant chords with minimal effort. The tuning heavily emphasizes the root (C) and the fifth (G), giving it a strong, stable character. The F note introduces a touch of ambiguity or color, creating a sound that is both familiar and unique.

Open Chords and Reachable Shapes

• Open Strum: Strumming all six open strings yields a powerful Cadd4 or Csus4 chord, with the F adding a beautiful, somewhat haunting quality over the C major framework. This makes for an immediate, full-bodied sound perfect for intros or open melodic phrases.
• Power Chords: The repeated C and G notes make power chords incredibly easy to achieve across the neck. Simply fretting two or three adjacent strings at the same fret will often yield powerful C or G chords, or their relative minors.
• Barre Chords: Due to the open intervals, barre chords become very accessible and resonant. A simple barre across any fret can produce a major or minor triad with a characteristic drone. For instance, barring at the 5th fret (on strings 4-1) would produce an F major sonority over the open C and F.
• C Major and G Major: The open strings naturally facilitate C major shapes. G major is also easily accessible, particularly by utilizing the open G strings and barring around the 4th fret for a G major chord shape.
• Melodic Potential: The perfect 4th and 5th relationships are excellent for fingerstyle, allowing for rich arpeggios and interwoven melodies where the open strings provide a constant harmonic bed. Tapping is also greatly enhanced by the consistent intervals and resonant open notes.

How to Tune from Standard EADGBe

This tuning involves significant detuning across all strings. Please ensure your guitar's intonation is checked after tuning, and be mindful of string tension. For sustained use, particularly with the larger drops, considering a heavier gauge string set may improve playability and tone.

• String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. (Note: This is a significant drop. If regularly using this tuning, consider a slightly heavier gauge for this string to maintain optimal tension and tone.)
• String 5 (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones. (Note: Another significant drop. A heavier gauge string may be beneficial here for better playability.)
• String 4 (D to G2): Tune down 7 semitones. (Warning: This is a very large drop. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension, avoid floppiness, and ensure clear intonation.)
• String 3 (G to C3): Tune down 7 semitones. (Warning: This is also a very large drop. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal performance and string stability.)
• String 2 (B to G3): Tune down 4 semitones. (Note: Significant drop. Consider a slightly heavier gauge to compensate for reduced tension.)
• String 1 (High e to C4): Tune down 4 semitones. (Note: Significant drop. Consider a slightly heavier gauge for improved resonance and feel.)

Final Open String Notes:

• String 6: C2 (Low C)
• String 5: F2 (Low F)
• String 4: G2 (G an octave below middle C)
• String 3: C3 (Middle C)
• String 2: G3 (G above middle C)
• String 1: C4 (High C)