Overview:

The "Show Me Darkness Cmaj7(add4) Tuning," notably utilized by Ben Howard, reimagines the standard guitar setup into a profound and evocative soundscape. This highly non-standard open tuning is fundamentally centered around a C tonality, offering a unique blend of harmony and carefully placed dissonance. With almost all strings tuned down significantly from standard EADGBe, it creates a lower overall pitch and a more resonant, almost melancholic, feel ideal for intricate fingerstyle playing and atmospheric compositions.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to C2 G2 B2 G3 F3 C4 (from the lowest string, traditionally the 6th, to the highest, the 1st). Let's delve into the intervals and the resulting harmonic structure:

• String 6 (C2): Serves as the fundamental root note, firmly establishing the C tonality for the entire tuning.
• String 5 (G2): A perfect fifth above the C root, providing essential harmonic stability and depth.
• String 4 (B2): A major seventh above the C root, this note is crucial. It adds a sophisticated, open, and slightly jazzy quality, immediately suggesting a Cmaj7 chord.
• String 3 (G3): An octave above G2, this string reinforces the perfect fifth and adds richness and body to the overall sound. Interestingly, this is the only string that remains at its standard G tuning.
• String 2 (F3): A perfect fourth above the C root, or a minor second (semitone) below G3. This 'F' note is the key to the tuning's unique flavor. When combined with the 'B' (major seventh) on string 4, it creates a tritone interval (F-B), which is a characteristic feature of dominant seventh chords, but here it's within a major context. This adds a distinctive 'add4' or 'add11' characteristic, moving beyond a simple major seventh chord towards something more complex and atmospheric.
• String 1 (C4): An octave above the root C, this string brightens the overall harmony and completes the C-centric voicing.

The combined notes of C, G, B, and F form an open Cmaj7(add4) or Cmaj7(add11) chord. This sophisticated voicing avoids a straightforward major or minor third (the E or Eb), creating an ambiguous and expansive harmonic foundation. The close proximity of G3 and F3 (a descending major second) also contributes significantly to its unique character, allowing for immediate access to interesting melodic and cluster harmonies with minimal fretwork.

Verbal Analysis & Musical Possibilities:

This tuning offers an incredibly rich, full-bodied, and resonant sound, making it particularly well-suited for intricate fingerstyle arrangements, ambient soundscapes, and compositions that require a deep, contemplative atmosphere. The significantly lowered C and G strings provide a profound, sonorous bass foundation, while the higher strings, with their Cmaj7(add4) cluster, shimmer with complex harmonics. Strumming all open strings yields an almost orchestral sound that is both spacious and artfully dissonant, perfectly embodying the 'darkness' or introspection suggested by its name.

Open Chords & Within Reach:

• Open Cmaj7(add4): Simply strumming all open strings provides this tuning's signature rich and complex chord.
• C Major & Minor Sounds: By carefully muting or avoiding the B2 and F3 strings, simpler C major triads (C-G-C-G) or even minor-influenced sounds (by fretting) can be achieved, offering versatility.
• Suspended & Extended Harmonies: The inherent presence of the F (perfect 4th) and B (major 7th) naturally lends itself to creating lush suspended-like voicings and various extensions with minimal effort.
• Drone Tones: The repeated C and G notes across different octaves make this tuning excellent for drone-based playing, allowing intricate melodies and arpeggios to unfold over a stable, resonant harmonic bed.
• Fretboard Exploration: Due to the radical departure from standard tuning, familiar chord shapes will not translate directly. However, this opens up a world of new, unique fingerings. Often, complex voicings can be created with fewer fingers, making otherwise difficult chords accessible. The close interval between G3 and F3 (strings 3 and 2) means that simple slides or single-fret movements can create immediate melodic and harmonic interest. Barre chords will produce distinct, often harmonically rich voicings, naturally incorporating 4ths or 7ths depending on the position.

This tuning is an inspiring choice for guitarists and songwriters eager to explore new harmonic frontiers and create music with a deep, resonant quality and a touch of melancholic beauty.

How to Tune:

To achieve this unique tuning from standard EADGBe, please follow these steps carefully. Use a reliable tuner and proceed slowly, especially with significant pitch drops:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a substantial change. A heavier gauge string may be advised if this is a permanent change to maintain appropriate string tension and prevent floppiness.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3 to G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 6 semitones from B3 to F3. (Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for proper tension, optimal tone, and to prevent excessive string floppiness.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from E4 to C4. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a substantial change. A heavier gauge string may be advised if this is a permanent change to maintain appropriate string tension and prevent floppiness.)

Always tune slowly and re-check your intonation after adjusting each string. It's often beneficial to tune a couple of times as the strings settle into their new tension.

String 6 (Lowest): Tuned down from E2 to C2.

String 5: Tuned down from A2 to G2.

String 4: Tuned down from D3 to B2.

String 3: Remains at standard G3.

String 2: Tuned down from B3 to F3.

String 1 (Highest): Tuned down from E4 to C4.