A Sonic Landscape for "Where Are We Now"

This unique guitar tuning is famously associated with American Football's track, "Where Are We Now". It conjures a distinct, open, and atmospheric sound, characteristic of the band's emotive and intricate indie-rock style. The tuning deviates significantly from standard, creating a sonic palette rich with unexpected harmonic possibilities and a wide intervallic spread, particularly between the higher strings.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to C#3 - A#3 - D#4 - G#4 - C4 - D5# (low to high). This arrangement presents several intriguing technical aspects:

• The overall pitch of the middle and treble strings is notably high, with a massive leap between the 2nd (C4) and 1st (D5#) strings, spanning a full octave and a major third (15 semitones). This wide gap contributes to a very open, almost chime-like quality on the higher register, reminiscent of other instruments or highly-strung tunings.
• Analyzing the open notes (C#, A#, D#, G#, C, D#), we find a complex collection of tones. While not forming a simple major or minor chord, the tuning contains elements that can create rich, suspended, or dissonant voicings. For instance, the C# and G# provide a root and fifth, while the A# acts as a major 6th, and the D# as a major 2nd. The C presents a strong dissonance against the C#, suggesting a polytonal or highly chromatic approach that is common in American Football's sound.
• The tuning offers immediate access to ringing, sustained chords that would be impossible or very difficult in standard tuning. Exploring shapes around the open string cluster of D#-G#-C (strings 4, 3, 2) could yield interesting suspended or augmented qualities due to the Major 3rd (G#-C) followed by a Perfect 4th (D#-G#) interval.

Chords and Playability

Due to the unique intervals, standard chord shapes will no longer apply. However, this opens up a world of new, resonant voicings. The open strings themselves can form a dense, ambiguous chord, rich with tension and release. Exploring simple one-finger barres or two-finger shapes up the neck will reveal harmonies that evoke the signature sound of American Football – often clean, arpeggiated, and harmonically sophisticated. The large interval between the 2nd and 1st strings means that melodic lines on the top string will sound very distinct and separated from the harmonic content below, offering unique opportunities for counterpoint and texture.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Where Are We Now" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitone to A#.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitone to D#.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone to G#.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#.

Important Note: The string movements for this tuning are relatively minor (within +/- 3 semitones), making it generally safe for standard gauge guitar strings. However, always exercise caution when tuning up, especially if your strings are old or if you are significantly increasing tension. For any tuning involving movements of 4 or more semitones in either direction, considering a different string gauge is advisable to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage.

The open strings of this tuning are as follows:

6th String: C#3
5th String: A#3
4th String: D#4
3rd String: G#4
2nd String: C4
1st String: D5#