This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "she treats me well" and specifically crafted for the Ben Howard song of the same name, offers a deep, resonant, and somewhat melancholic sonic landscape. It moves significantly away from standard tuning, creating a distinctly open and atmospheric quality ideal for intricate fingerstyle and expressive melodies. The resulting low tensions on several strings can provide a 'slinky' feel, perfect for glides and subtle string bending, contributing to a fluid and organic sound.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: The open tuning C2-G2-B2-G3-F3-B3 presents a rich, complex harmony. While not forming a conventional major or minor chord for easy strumming, it immediately suggests elements of a C Major 7th (C-G-B) with the addition of F, creating a unique, almost suspended quality. The presence of a duplicated B note on the 4th and 1st strings further enhances sympathetic resonance.
• Intervals and Voicings: The intervals between strings are unconventional, providing a fresh palette for chord voicings. From low to high: a perfect 5th (C-G), a major 3rd (G-B), a minor 3rd (B-G), a major 2nd (G-F), and an augmented 4th (F-B). This combination encourages exploration beyond standard chord shapes, favoring intricate arpeggios and open, ambient textures that are a hallmark of Ben Howard's style.
• String Tension Considerations: A critical aspect of this tuning involves significant drops in pitch for most strings. Notably, the 2nd string is tuned down a substantial 6 semitones (from B to F), and the 1st string is tuned down 5 semitones (from E to B). The 6th string is also tuned down 4 semitones (from E to C). These substantial changes mean that standard string gauges will experience considerably lower tension, which can lead to a 'floppy' feel, potential buzzing, or loss of sustain. For optimal playability and tone, especially if playing aggressively or if you prefer more tension, using a heavier gauge string set (particularly for the 1st, 2nd, and 6th strings) is strongly advised to compensate for the slack.

How to Tune

To achieve the "she treats me well" tuning from standard EADGBE, follow these specific adjustments for each string. Remember to tune carefully and check pitch frequently:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3 to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 6 semitones from B3 to F3. Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly recommended.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones from E4 to B3. Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly recommended.

The open string notes for the "she treats me well" tuning are as follows:

6th String (Low E): C2

5th String (A): G2

4th String (D): B2

3rd String (G): G3

2nd String (B): F3

1st String (High E): B3