Verbal Analysis

This evocative tuning, famously used by Ben Howard for 'Another Friday Night', conjures a deep, resonant sound world ideal for atmospheric and introspective acoustic playing. Its low register, characterized by prominent C notes and a strong, suspended F, creates a rich, droning foundation that beautifully supports intricate melodic lines and complex fingerstyle patterns. The unique unison Fs on the middle strings add a distinctive textural layer and sustain, making it exceptionally well-suited for the kind of immersive folk and indie acoustic styles that prioritize open, ringing tones.

Technical Analysis

The tuning C-G-C-F-F-C represents a significant departure from standard guitar tuning, dropping all strings downwards. The lowest three strings (C2-G2-C3) form a powerful C5 chord or a Csus2 drone, establishing a robust harmonic anchor. The addition of F3 on the 3rd string transforms this into a full Csus4 voicing (C-G-C-F). Notably, the 2nd string is also tuned to F3, creating a unison with the 3rd string. This unison offers unique opportunities for sympathetic resonance, sustained drones, and percussive techniques that can enrich the guitar's sonic output. The highest string, C4, completes a full, lush Csus4 voicing across the guitar's range, leveraging multiple octaves and unison notes. This configuration is designed to minimize the need for complex fretting, allowing open strings to ring out and define the harmonic landscape. The tuning is inherently resonant in the key of C major or C minor, owing to its dominant C and F presence. As noted in the original description, this tuning is often played with a capo on the 3rd fret, applied to strings 1-5, which would transpose the effective open notes of those strings by three semitones upwards.

Open Chords and Reachable Shapes

• The open strings themselves form a rich Csus4 chord (C-G-C-F-F-C), providing a full, resonant foundation without any fretting.
• Due to the strong presence of C and F notes across multiple octaves, various inversions and voicings of C major, C minor, F major, and G major/sus4 chords will be readily accessible with minimal fretting, often by simply barring across a single fret or utilizing two-finger shapes.
• The low C and G on the 6th and 5th strings provide a robust bass foundation, facilitating the construction of complex harmonies on top.
• The unison Fs on the 3rd and 2nd strings create a unique melodic and harmonic texture, allowing for sustained drones and notes that beautifully complement the overall sound.

How to Tune

• String 6 (Low E): From its standard E2, Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• String 5 (A): From its standard A2, Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4 (D): From its standard D3, Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G): From its standard G3, Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• String 2 (B): From its standard B3, Tune down 6 semitones to F3.
• String 1 (High E): From its standard E4, Tune down 4 semitones to C4.

Important Note: Several strings require significant downward tuning from standard. Specifically, the 2nd string (B string) is tuned down by 6 semitones, and the 6th and 1st strings (Low E and High E) are both tuned down by 4 semitones. For these substantial changes, which exceed the recommended -4 or +4 semitone threshold, it is highly advisable to consider using a different gauge string set to maintain optimal string tension, intonation, and tone, and to mitigate any potential stress on your guitar or strings.

String 6: C2

String 5: G2

String 4: C3

String 3: F3

String 2: F3

String 1: C4