This unique tuning, known as "American Football- Self Titled Track 7", was featured on the track "I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional" from the band's self-titled album. It offers a distinct and evocative open sound, perfect for exploring atmospheric and intricate compositions.

Verbal Analysis

The tuning immediately strikes with its bright and expansive character. The open strings resonate with a clear, almost chiming quality, creating a sense of openness and space. It leans strongly towards a major tonality, allowing for shimmering chords and melodic phrases that feel both familiar and fresh. The wide variations in octave placement across adjacent strings (e.g., between the 5th string (B2) and 4th string (C#4), and the 2nd string (B3) and 1st string (D#5)) encourage unconventional fingerings and give rise to unique voicings not typically found in standard tuning.

This makes it particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, intricate arpeggios, and creating rich, layered textures. The user's description of a "nice open sound" is perfectly captured by the harmonic possibilities of these open strings.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: The tuning presents the notes E2, B2, C#4, F#4, B3, D#5 (from low E to high E string).
• Harmonic Foundation: The open strings contain the notes B, D#, F#. This forms a complete B Major triad (B, D#, F#), meaning a clear B Major chord can be strummed openly using strings 5, 4 (with a fret), 3, 2, and 1. More directly, the notes B (5th string), F# (3rd string), and D# (1st string) form a resonant B Major chord across the higher strings. Including the 6th string E, the open strings provide a rich sonic palette that could imply an Emaj11 or Bsus4/11 tonality, offering significant versatility.
• Interval Relationships (from low E string):
  • 6th string (E2) to 5th string (B2): Perfect 5th.
  • 5th string (B2) to 4th string (C#4): A significant leap of an octave and a Major 2nd (14 semitones), creating a wide, open space that is excellent for arpeggios.
  • 4th string (C#4) to 3rd string (F#4): Perfect 4th.
  • 3rd string (F#4) to 2nd string (B3): A drop of a Perfect 4th (when considering F#4 to B4 would be P4, here B3 is an octave lower, making it a Major 7th down from F#4). This non-linear octave displacement is key to its unique character and provides interesting voice leading possibilities.
  • 2nd string (B3) to 1st string (D#5): Another large leap of an octave and a Major 3rd (15 semitones), contributing to the bright, high-register sound and expansive voicings.
• Chordal Exploration: Beyond the immediate open B Major triad, this tuning is ripe for exploring various extended chords such as Bmaj7, Bmaj9, Emaj7, Eadd9, and an array of suspended or altered voicings. The unusual intervals make traditional chord shapes challenging but greatly reward experimentation, leading to new and expansive sonorities.
• Playing Style: This tuning is ideal for creating intricate melodic lines and arpeggios, utilizing the wide interval jumps for distinct and spacious voicings. It naturally lends itself to ambient, math-rock, or post-rock styles, where its open, resonant qualities and unique harmonic possibilities can truly shine.

How to Tune

To achieve the "American Football- Self Titled Track 7" tuning, follow these precise string adjustments from standard guitar tuning (EADGBe):

• String 6 (Low E): Tune to E2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A String): Tune to B2. This string must be tuned up 2 semitones from its standard A2.
• String 4 (D String): Tune to C#4. This string must be tuned down 1 semitone from its standard D4.
• String 3 (G String): Tune to F#4. This string must be tuned down 1 semitone from its standard G4.
• String 2 (B String): Tune to B3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Tune to D#5. This string must be tuned down 1 semitone from its standard E5.

Note: When tuning significantly up or down (exceeding 4 semitones in either direction), it is generally advisable to consider a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and avoid potential damage. For this specific tuning, all adjustments are within a safe range for standard string gauges, making it relatively safe to implement.