This unique guitar tuning, famously utilized by John Mayer for his evocative track "In Your Atmosphere," creates a distinct and resonant soundscape. It deviates significantly from standard tuning, offering a fresh sonic palette for creative expression.

Verbal Analysis

The tuning, E-B-F-F#-B-E (from low to high), is designed not for conventional open chords, but rather for its rich arpeggiated textures and specific melodic voicings. While the low and high E strings, along with the B strings (5th and 2nd), maintain a familiar E-based tonality, the F (4th string) and F# (3rd string) introduce fascinating harmonic tension. Strumming all open strings simultaneously will yield a highly dissonant sound, featuring both a minor second (E-F) and a major second (E-F#) against the root E. This suggests the tuning is optimized for partial chords, selective string playing, and intricate fingerstyle passages where these intervals can be highlighted or resolved.

For players, this means existing chord shapes will be entirely transformed, encouraging exploration of new voicings. Open perfect fifths (E5, B5) are readily available. The unique interplay between the F and F# allows for subtle harmonic shifts, creating an 'atmospheric' quality that perfectly suits Mayer's style. It's a tuning that rewards experimentation and a focus on individual note choices rather than broad strumming.

Technical Analysis

• Base Key: Appears to be rooted in E, with E (root) and B (perfect 5th) present across multiple strings.
• Open String Notes: E2 - B2 - F3 - F#4 - B3 - E4 (from low E to high E).
• Intervals from Low E:
  • String 6 (E2): Root
  • String 5 (B2): Perfect 5th (P5)
  • String 4 (F3): Minor 2nd (m2) / Minor 9th (m9)
  • String 3 (F#4): Major 2nd (M2) / Major 9th (M9)
  • String 2 (B3): Perfect 5th (P5)
  • String 1 (E4): Octave (P8)
• Harmonic Characteristics: The presence of both F (m2) and F# (M2) against the E root creates a highly specific, dissonant, and rich harmonic cluster. This is far from a standard major or minor open chord, hinting at advanced harmonic usage or melodic intent.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve John Mayer's 'In Your Atmosphere' tuning, carefully adjust your strings as follows. Always tune up to a note to ensure better tuning stability. Remember to be cautious when increasing string tension.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4 (D string): Tune up 3 semitones to F3.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (B string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Note: Tuning strings up by 2 or 3 semitones (String 5 and String 4) increases tension. While these movements are generally within safe limits for standard string gauges, always proceed with caution and be mindful of your guitar's neck and string tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is typically recommended, though it is not strictly necessary for this particular tuning.

Here are the specific notes for each string in this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• String 6: E2 (Low E)
• String 5: B2
• String 4: F3
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4 (High E)