The Ben Howard tuning, named after the acclaimed English singer-songwriter, offers a distinctive and resonant sound palette, perfectly suited for intricate fingerstyle and atmospheric compositions. As described, Ben Howard has crafted a unique musical journey, and this tuning plays a role in his characteristic sound, moving away from standard conventions to explore richer harmonic possibilities.

Technical Analysis

This is an Open C variant tuning, specifically C G C G G C. When all strings are strummed open, they resolve to a full C Major chord (C2 G2 C3 G3 G3 C4). The low C (6th string) provides a deep, foundational bass, while the repeated G notes on the 2nd and 3rd strings create a rich, droning sustain that adds unique texture and harmonic depth to the chord. The presence of the root C on the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings firmly anchors the tuning in C Major.

Musically, this tuning is highly versatile for creating open, ringing chord voicings and intricate melodies. Being an Open C tuning, it naturally facilitates playing in the key of C Major and its relative minor, A minor. Barre chords become exceptionally straightforward: a single barre across any fret will yield a major chord corresponding to that fret (e.g., barre at the 5th fret produces an F Major chord). This greatly simplifies chord changes and allows for easy transposition across the fretboard, encouraging fluid melodic and harmonic exploration. The unique arrangement of notes, especially the doubled G, lends itself to percussive techniques and dynamic phrasing, which are hallmarks of Ben Howard's style.

How to Tune

To achieve the Ben Howard tuning (C G C G G C) from standard E A D G B E tuning, follow these steps. Please note that several strings require significant downward tuning, and for drops exceeding 4 semitones, a different string gauge might be advisable to maintain optimal tension and tone.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C2. This is a substantial drop, so exercise caution.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D to C3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B to G3. This is a significant drop, so exercise caution.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C4. This is a significant drop, so exercise caution.

When tuning strings down by 4 semitones or more, it is always recommended to consider using heavier gauge strings to prevent floppiness and maintain good intonation and playability.

6th String: C2

5th String: G2

4th String: C3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: G3

1st String: C4