Verbal Analysis: The Sound of Metal Dissonance

The "E A F B F B" tuning is a formidable and aggressive setup, perfectly tailored for the "metal" genre it's designed for. This tuning creates a dark, unsettling, and powerful sonic landscape, eschewing traditional harmonies for a more dissonant and impactful sound. The repeated F and B notes across the middle and high strings forge a strong, almost drone-like tritone, which is a signature element of extreme metal. Guitarists using this tuning will find it excellent for heavy, chugging riffs, complex arpeggiated dissonances, and generating an overall oppressive and intense atmosphere. It prioritizes raw sonic power and percussive rhythm over conventional chordal playing, making it a distinct voice in heavy music.

Technical Analysis: Intervals and Potential Shapes

This tuning presents a unique and dissonant set of intervals that define its character:

• 6th String (E2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect 4th (P4) - a stable, foundational interval.
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (F3): Minor 6th (m6) - a somewhat melancholic or yearning interval.
• 4th String (F3) to 3rd String (B3): Tritone (Augmented 4th / Diminished 5th) - the key dissonant interval of this tuning.
• 3rd String (B3) to 2nd String (F3): Tritone (Descending) - another strong tritone, with the 2nd string being lower than the 3rd.
• 2nd String (F3) to 1st String (B3): Tritone (Augmented 4th / Diminished 5th) - reiterating the central dissonance.

The open strings themselves (E A F B F B) do not form a traditional major or minor chord but rather a dissonant cluster, suggesting that this tuning is not intended for standard strumming. The consistent presence of the F-B tritone across multiple string pairs (F3-B3 on 4th-3rd, B3-F3 on 3rd-2nd, F3-B3 on 2nd-1st) allows for powerful, resonant voicings that lean into this tension. Guitarists can exploit these tritones for impactful, two-note power chords, or thick, dissonant drones. The tuning lends itself well to single-note riffing and sliding patterns. Power chords using the lower E and A strings are readily available, providing a solid foundation for heavy rhythms. While traditional open chords are largely absent, the unique architecture encourages exploration of modern, aggressive harmonic and melodic ideas.

How to Tune

To achieve the E A F B F B tuning from standard E A D G B E, follow these string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): Tune up 3 semitones to F.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 4 semitones to B. Caution is advised as tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases string tension; ensure your strings can handle it.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 6 semitones to F. This is a substantial drop in pitch; a different string gauge is strongly advised to maintain optimal tension, intonation, and tone quality.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B. This is also a significant drop; a different string gauge is strongly advised to maintain optimal tension, intonation, and tone quality.

String 6: Tune your 6th (low E) string to E2.

String 5: Tune your 5th (A) string to A2.

String 4: Tune your 4th (D) string to F3.

String 3: Tune your 3rd (G) string to B3.

String 2: Tune your 2nd (B) string to F3.

String 1: Tune your 1st (high E) string to B3.