This unique tuning, named after the legendary Nick Drake, is indeed a personal favorite for many, famously featured on his iconic album Pink Moon. It's known for its evocative and open sound. The original description suggests a slight adjustment for the B string if needed, opting for BF#BEBD# instead of C-G-C-F-C-E, and notes Drake's potential use with capos at 1st fret (CGCFCE) and 3rd fret (DADGDG), indicating its versatility and a deep connection to his signature sound.

Verbal Analysis

The C-G-C-F-C-E tuning creates a highly resonant and atmospheric soundscape. With three C notes across the 6th, 4th, and 2nd strings, and a G on the 5th, there's a strong, open C major foundation. The addition of F on the 3rd string and E on the 1st string adds a beautiful harmonic complexity, leaning towards a Cmaj7sus4 feel or an Fmaj7 chord over a C bass (F-C-E over C-G-C). This tuning is particularly well-suited for intricate fingerstyle, allowing for the creation of lush arpeggios, sustained drones, and rich, swirling textures. The wide intervals and repeated notes encourage exploration of unique voicings and allow for easy partial barring to discover new chordal textures. It fosters a melancholic yet rich sonic palette that is characteristic of Drake's work, providing a canvas for deep emotional expression.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to C2-G2-C3-F3-C4-E4. The intervallic structure from low to high is: Perfect 5th (C-G), Perfect 4th (G-C), Perfect 4th (C-F), Perfect 5th (F-C), Major 3rd (C-E).

The combined notes of the open strings are C, G, F, E. This chord can be technically interpreted as a Cmaj7sus4 (C-E-G-F). The presence of multiple Cs and the open G provides a solid root and fifth, while the F (a perfect fourth above C) and E (a major third above C) add unique color and harmonic tension. This provides a very rich, open voicing that doesn't require complex fretting for a full sound, making it ideal for fingerpicking patterns that utilize open strings as drones.

Due to the strong C and G drone notes, many simple shapes become highly resonant. For instance, simply barring all strings at any fret will create variations of this open chord, allowing for easy key changes or shifting harmonic landscapes. The F on the 3rd string makes suspended 4th voicings readily available, contributing to an ethereal sound. Plucking the top three strings (F-C-E) yields an F major triad. The overall structure invites a more melodic and textural approach to playing, often focusing on the interplay between open and fretted notes rather than relying on traditional chord shapes, characteristic of Nick Drake's compositional style.

How to Tune

To achieve the Nick Drake tuning (C-G-C-F-C-E) from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these specific string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. Please exercise caution when tuning down this far; for optimal string tension and safety, a lighter gauge string may be advisable.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

6th String: C2

5th String: G2

4th String: C3

3rd String: F3

2nd String: C4

1st String: E4