Tuning Analysis: Cut Your Hair - Pavement

This unique guitar tuning, famously used by Stephen Malkmus of Pavement for their iconic track "Cut Your Hair", offers a distinct and unconventional sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis:

The "Cut Your Hair" tuning plunges the lower strings into an unusually deep register, creating a near-baritone or even cello-like foundation. This profound bass contrasts sharply with the relatively standard-tuned upper strings, resulting in a wide tonal spectrum. The overall feel is one of open resonance, allowing for chunky, ringing chords and drone-like textures that are characteristic of Pavement's sound. It's a tuning that encourages experimental voicings and can sound both massive and delicate, depending on how it's approached.

Technical Analysis:

The open string notes for this tuning, from low to high, are: C1-G1-D3-A3-B3-E4. Let's break down the intervals and harmonic implications:

• Lowest Strings (C1, G1): These are exceptionally low. C1 is a full octave below C2 (the lowest C on a standard piano). This provides a very deep, resonant bass, almost pushing the limits of a standard guitar's scale length and string gauge for clarity and intonation.
• Middle Strings (D3, A3): These continue a pattern of perfect fifths with the lowest two strings (C-G-D-A). This sequence of stacked perfect fifths (C1 to G1 is a P5, G1 to D3 is a P5, D3 to A3 is a P5) is highly distinctive, reminiscent of 'new standard tuning' or cello tuning, providing immense harmonic power and clarity on these fundamental notes.
• Highest Strings (B3, E4): These strings break the perfect fifths pattern. A3 to B3 is a Major Second (M2), and B3 to E4 is a Perfect Fourth (P4). These intervals introduce a more conventional high end, but also create interesting harmonic tension and melodic possibilities when played against the lower, fifth-based strings.

While the full open tuning (C-G-D-A-B-E) does not form a simple major or minor triad, the foundation of C-G-D-A on the lower four strings suggests a strong C-centric sound. These notes are all found within a C major (or C Lydian/Dorian) scale. Playing these four strings open yields a rich, resonant chord that could be interpreted as a Csus2/add9 (C-G-D) or even an extended Cmaj9 (no 3rd) (C-G-D-A-B) with the addition of the B string, creating a full and spacious sound. The inclusion of the E4 on the highest string adds a final, bright component, completing a sonority that could evoke a Cmaj9 or even a G-based chord with an added C and E. The inherent open string intervals make for easy access to power chords on the lower strings and facilitate a drone-like approach to songwriting, allowing for melodic movement over a static, rich harmonic bed.

How to Tune to Cut Your Hair - Pavement

To achieve the "Cut Your Hair - Pavement" tuning, adjust your strings according to the following instructions. The target note for each string is provided, along with the specific movement from its current (implied) pitch. Remember to tune carefully and check intonation!

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent): Tune to C1. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 5 (A Equivalent): Tune to G1. Tune up 1 semitones.
• String 4 (D Equivalent): Tune to D3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G Equivalent): Tune to A3. Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 2 (B Equivalent): Tune to B3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E Equivalent): Tune to E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Tuning Considerations: The specific string movements described above (e.g., "Tune down 1 semitones") are all within a safe range of +/- 4 semitones, meaning a change of string gauge is not strictly necessary based on these individual adjustments. However, it's crucial to note that the target notes for the lowest two strings, C1 and G1, are exceptionally low for a standard scale length guitar. To ensure optimal tone, intonation stability, and to prevent potential string breakage or 'flappy' strings, it is highly recommended to use very heavy gauge strings, particularly for the 6th and 5th strings, if you plan to utilize this deep tuning regularly. Always listen carefully and make small, careful adjustments.