Tuning Analysis: Stay With Me Fingerstyle Tuning

This highly customized and unique tuning, aptly named the Stay With Me Fingerstyle Tuning, is specifically crafted for a fingerstyle arrangement of Sam Smith's poignant hit, "Stay with Me." It represents a significant departure from standard guitar tuning, creating a fresh and distinct sonic landscape tailored to the song's melodic and harmonic intricacies. The strategic mix of raised and lowered strings allows for specific voicings and arpeggios that would be challenging or impossible in standard tuning, enhancing the expressive potential for the fingerstyle guitarist.

Technical Breakdown

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Open Notes: E2, A#3 (Bb3), G3, C3, A3, D4 (from lowest to highest string)

Compared to standard EADGBe tuning, this setup involves a series of dramatic adjustments across most strings. The low E (String 6) remains at its standard pitch, providing a familiar anchor. However, the subsequent strings feature significant alterations: String 5 is raised to A#3 (Bb3), String 4 is raised a substantial five semitones to G3, String 3 is drastically lowered seven semitones to C3, and both String 2 and String 1 are lowered two semitones to A3 and D4, respectively.

The open strings (E, A#, G, C, A, D) do not immediately form a conventional major or minor chord, presenting a somewhat dissonant yet rich cluster. This configuration is meticulously designed to facilitate specific melodic patterns, arpeggios, and characteristic chord voicings essential to the "Stay with Me" arrangement. The presence of E, G, C, A, D provides a foundation that can hint at C major, G major, or A minor tonalities, but the prominent A# (Bb) adds a distinctive tension, suggesting a bluesy, diminished, or Lydian augmented quality, crucial for the song's emotional depth.

For the fingerstyle player, this tuning makes certain complex voicings easily accessible. While a full open major or minor chord might not ring out, partial chords and arpeggiated figures common in the song become much simpler to execute. For example, the perfect fourth intervals between G3-C3 and A3-D4 are excellent for creating flowing melodic lines and open, resonant harmonies. The unique combination of notes also encourages the use of drones and sympathetic resonance, enriching the overall sound. Chords that could be easily formed might include various sus4 or sus2 voicings, minor 7th chords with altered extensions, or specific partial chords that leverage the open string intervals to create the desired harmonic color.

How to Tune

Please follow these instructions carefully to tune your guitar to the Stay With Me Fingerstyle Tuning. Pay close attention to the number of semitones and the direction of tuning for each string. Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E to E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 1 semitone to A#3 (Bb3). This is a minor adjustment, proceed with care.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 5 semitones to G3. Caution: Tuning up by 5 semitones is a substantial increase in string tension. For sustained use of this tuning, we strongly advise considering a lighter gauge string for this position to prevent undue stress on the string and guitar neck.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 7 semitones to C3. Caution: This is a very significant drop in pitch, resulting in considerably less string tension. You may find the string feels loose or floppy. A heavier gauge string might improve playability and intonation, especially if this is a permanent tuning for you.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3. This is a moderate drop in pitch.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4. This is a moderate drop in pitch.

As a general guideline, if a string needs to be tuned up or down by more than 4 semitones from its standard pitch, it's often advisable to consider adjusting your string gauge. This helps ensure optimal playability, maintains proper intonation, and protects your instrument from excessive or insufficient string tension.

String 6 (E2): The lowest string remains at its standard E pitch, providing a familiar and stable anchor for the entire tuning, grounding the unique harmonic landscape.

String 5 (A#3 / Bb3): Tuned up one semitone from standard A, this string introduces a distinctive sharp/flat interval. This note provides unique harmonic tension or color, often acting as a leading tone or a bluesy inflection within the open tuning.

String 4 (G3): Elevated significantly by five semitones from its standard D, this string now aligns with a G. This G offers a strong perfect fourth interval above the C string and contributes to major or minor chord structures, adding fullness to the middle range.

String 3 (C3): Dropped considerably by seven semitones (a perfect fifth) from its standard G, this string brings a deep C note into the open tuning. It often acts as a potential tonal center or a strong bass note for various chords, offering a rich, resonant foundation.

String 2 (A3): Lowered by two semitones (a whole step) from its standard B, this string lands on an A. It creates a perfect fourth interval with the D string and fits seamlessly into many minor or major chord voicings, enhancing melodic flow.

String 1 (D4): Also lowered by two semitones (a whole step) from its standard high E, this string provides a clear D note. It complements the other open strings, offering a lower, richer treble voice that adds warmth to the upper register.