C#G#C#F#C#E Guitar Tuner
C#G#C#F#C#E | D♭A♭D♭G♭D♭E C#G#C#F#C#E - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
Tuning Analysis: C#G#C#F#C#E
This distinctive tuning, often associated with the influential folk artist Nick Drake, crafts a deeply resonant and atmospheric sound. It is fundamentally built around a C# minor tonality, offering a unique blend of drone capabilities and melodic potential, characteristic of Drake's intricate and melancholic compositions.
Verbal Observations
When strummed open, the C#G#C#F#C#E tuning immediately evokes a rich, somewhat somber, yet full-bodied sound. The repeated C# and G# notes (root and perfect fifth) across the lower and middle strings establish a strong, droning foundation, lending itself beautifully to fingerpicking styles where sustained notes are key. The inclusion of F# (a perfect 4th above C#) adds a suspended quality, which can create tension and release, while the E (a minor 3rd above C#) on the highest string firmly establishes the minor character of the tuning.
The open strings collectively form a C# minor chord with an added 4th (C#m(add4)), providing a complex and harmonically dense backdrop for melodic improvisation. The specific intervallic relationships make it intuitive to discover movable chord shapes; for instance, a single finger barred across the 2nd fret would transform the open voicing into a D# minor chord, and across the 4th fret, an F minor chord, while retaining the tuning's unique feel. This design encourages creative chord voicings and arpeggiated patterns, enabling players to explore a broad spectrum of textures.
Technical Analysis
- Open Notes: C#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, C#5, E4 (from the lowest to the highest string).
- Intervalic Structure (relative to the lowest C#): Root, Perfect 5th, Octave, Perfect 4th, Octave, Minor 3rd.
- This tuning strategically places the root (C#) and its perfect fifth (G#) in multiple octaves, creating a powerful and sustained harmonic resonance.
- The F# (perfect 4th) introduces a characteristic suspended sound, which is a hallmark of many atmospheric and folk tunings, offering both consonance and subtle dissonance.
- The E on the highest string provides the minor third, completing the C# minor triad and offering a bright, yet melancholic, top voice over the droning lower strings.
How to Tune Your Guitar (from Standard EADGBe)
To achieve the C#G#C#F#C#E tuning from standard EADGBe, several specific adjustments are required. Always use a reliable tuner and tune carefully, especially when increasing string tension.
- 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
- 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
- 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
- 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
- 2nd String (B): Tune up 2 semitones to C#5.
- 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E4.
Important Note on String Tension: Most strings are tuned down, which reduces tension. The 2nd string is tuned up by 2 semitones, which is generally within safe limits for standard gauge guitar strings. For tuning adjustments exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), it is often recommended to consider a different string gauge to optimize playability and string longevity. This tuning, however, remains within typical acceptable ranges for standard sets.
String 6 (lowest): C#3 (Low C sharp)
String 5: G#3 (G sharp below middle C)
String 4: C#4 (C sharp, an octave above the lowest C sharp)
String 3: F#4 (F sharp above middle C)
String 2: C#5 (C sharp, two octaves above the lowest C sharp)
String 1 (highest): E4 (High E, corresponding to the standard high E string)
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Capos for C#G#C#F#C#E
| Capo | Tuning | Name |
|---|---|---|
| -1 | CGCFCD# | CGCFCD |
| 0 | C#G#C#F#C#E | C#G#C#F#C#E |
| 1 | DADGDF | Mitchgrade |
More C#G#C#F#C#E Resources
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -3
- -1
- -1
- -1
- 2
- 0
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