FACADE Tuning: A Rich, Resonant Soundscape

The FACADE tuning, as described by its user, offers a truly beautiful and distinctive sonic palette. It moves significantly away from standard guitar tuning to create an open, resonant sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. The name itself, FACADE, directly spells out the open string notes, making it memorable and evocative.

This tuning lends itself to a wide array of musical styles, particularly those favoring lush harmonies, open voicings, and a bright, almost Lydian-like quality. Its inherent richness makes it ideal for fingerstyle, ambient textures, or melodic lead playing where the open strings can ring out and interact.

Technical Analysis: The F-A-C-A-D-E Sound

The open strings of the FACADE tuning are configured as F2-A2-C3-A3-D4-E4, from the lowest to the highest string. This arrangement creates a complex and highly resonant chord when strummed open. Breaking it down:

• The foundational notes F-A-C establish an F Major triad.
• The second A (on the 3rd string) reinforces the major third, adding depth and sustain to the F Major sonority.
• The E (on the 1st string) completes an F Major 7th chord (F-A-C-E).
• The D (on the 2nd string) adds a major 6th or 9th quality to the Fmaj7, creating an Fmaj7(add6) or Fmaj7(add9, omitting the G). This interval combination gives the tuning its characteristic bright, slightly suspended, and jazzy feel.

The overall impression is that of a luminous Fmaj7 chord with an added D, suggesting an F Lydian or a sophisticated jazz harmony. This makes it incredibly inspiring for exploration, as familiar chord shapes will yield entirely new and exciting voicings.

Open Chords and Possibilities

The open strings themselves form a beautiful, rich Fmaj7(add6/9) chord, which serves as an excellent drone or starting point for improvisation. Due to the unique intervals, many standard chord shapes will be transformed:

• Open Voicings: The tuning naturally lends itself to open string harmonies. Experiment with simply barring across all strings at various frets; a single finger can instantly create a full, rich chord with the same interval structure as the open tuning.
• F Major Family: Chords in the key of F Major or related modes (like F Lydian) will sound particularly resonant and natural.
• Suspended Sounds: The D and E on the higher strings interacting with the F-A-C-A foundation create beautiful suspended qualities without needing complex fingerings.
• Drone-based playing: Utilise the low F and A strings as drones while playing melodies or higher chord fragments on the upper strings.

How to Tune to FACADE

To achieve the beautiful FACADE tuning, carefully adjust your guitar strings from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. Please note that tuning up 3 or 4 semitones requires care, and while the changes in this tuning are generally within a safe range, always be mindful of string tension. For tunings that exceed 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is typically advised for optimal performance and string longevity.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone to F2. (From E to F)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3. (From D to C)
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3. (From G to A)
• String 2 (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D4. (From B to D)
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned up 1 semitone to F2. This provides a strong, low root for the tuning's F-centric harmony.

String 5 (A): Remains A2. It serves as the major third of the F chord, a stable and resonant anchor.

String 4 (D): Tuned down 2 semitones to C3. This note is the perfect fifth of F, completing the foundational F major triad.

String 3 (G): Tuned up 2 semitones to A3. This duplicates the major third, adding richness and depth to the open F major sound.

String 2 (B): Tuned up 3 semitones to D4. This introduces a major 6th or 9th quality, significantly contributing to the unique character and brightness of the tuning.

String 1 (High E): Remains E4. This note completes the F major 7th chord, giving the overall voicing a sophisticated and open quality.