Overview: Phoebe Bridgers' C# Variation (I Know The End)

This intriguing 5-string tuning, famously associated with Phoebe Bridgers' "I Know The End," presents a truly expansive and resonant soundscape. Designed to evoke a powerful, drone-like atmosphere, it's a perfect choice for indie rock, atmospheric folk, or any genre where a huge, open chord sound is desired without complex fingerings. The tuning's inherent stability and harmonic richness encourage a focus on melody, texture, and dynamic strumming.

Technical Analysis

This tuning for Guitar is built around the open notes C#2, C#3, G#3, G#4, C#5. From the lowest playable string, the intervals are:

• String 5 (C#2): The foundational root note.
• String 4 (C#3): An octave above the root, adding depth and resonance.
• String 3 (G#3): A perfect fifth above the C#2 root, providing harmonic stability.
• String 2 (G#4): An octave above the perfect fifth, further enhancing the drone quality.
• String 1 (C#5): Two octaves above the C#2 root, completing a rich, full voicing of the root.

Essentially, this tuning spells out a massive C#5 power chord across three octaves (C# - G# - C#). This makes it incredibly stable and resonant, providing a strong tonal center. The absence of a major or minor third in the open position means it avoids immediate major/minor connotations, allowing for more ambiguous or emotionally charged compositions.

Open Chords & Reach

The most immediate "chord" available is the open C#5 power chord, which sounds huge and sustained when all strings are strummed. This allows for powerful, driving rhythms or shimmering, atmospheric textures with minimal effort. Moving a single finger across the fretboard in a barre shape will instantly yield other power chords (e.g., barre at the 2nd fret for D5, 4th fret for E5, etc.). Due to the consistent intervals, it's also relatively straightforward to introduce a minor or major third on the lower strings (e.g., fretting the G# string to A# for C# minor, or A for C# major) to create full major or minor chords, offering versatility despite its initial power chord nature.

How to Tune

To achieve the Phoebe Bridgers' C# Variation tuning, carefully adjust each string as follows. Please note that "string_5" refers to the lowest string in this specific tuning and "string_1" is the highest.

• String 5 (C#2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (C#3): Tune down 3 semitones. Tuning down 3 semitones is generally safe for standard gauge strings.
• String 3 (G#3): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 2 (G#4): Tune up 1 semitone.
• String 1 (C#5): Tune up 2 semitones. Tuning up 2 semitones is generally safe for standard gauge strings.

Please exercise caution when tuning, especially when making significant changes to string tension. While none of the movements in this particular tuning exceed the recommended 4 semitone limit for standard strings, always tune slowly and listen to your instrument. For movements beyond 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is often advised.

String 5: C#2

String 4: C#3

String 3: G#3

String 2: G#4

String 1: C#5