FACGCG: An Open, Resonant Landscape

The FACGCG tuning is a captivating open tuning for guitar, offering a rich and resonant sound. As the provided description notes, it's a slight variation on the FACGCE tuning, replacing the high E string with a G. This change profoundly impacts the overall resonance and chordal possibilities, creating a unique sonic landscape that is both harmonically grounded and melodically open, making it suitable for a wide array of musical genres from folk and ambient to contemporary rock and experimental music.

Technical Analysis:

Starting from the low F, the tuning progresses as F2-A2-C3-G3-C4-G4. The first three strings (F-A-C) establish a clear F Major chord, providing a strong tonal center and a deep, full bass foundation. The subsequent strings introduce a G note (Perfect 5th above C), followed by a C (Perfect 4th above G and an octave of the 4th string), and finally another G (Perfect 5th above C and an octave of the 3rd string).

The intervals between consecutive open strings are as follows:

• String 6 to 5 (F2 to A2): Major 3rd
• String 5 to 4 (A2 to C3): Minor 3rd
• String 4 to 3 (C3 to G3): Perfect 5th
• String 3 to 2 (G3 to C4): Perfect 4th
• String 2 to 1 (C4 to G4): Perfect 5th

This unique arrangement results in a rich chordal structure when strummed open. The tuning contains the notes F, A, C, and G, which form an Fmaj9 chord (F-A-C-G). With the repeated C and G notes in the upper register, the tuning offers a highly resonant and shimmering quality, perfect for sustained drones and rich harmonies. It's a tuning that encourages open string playing and sliding, leveraging the natural resonance of the multiple Gs and Cs.

Chords and Playability:

The open strings themselves form a rich, complex chord, perceived primarily as an F Major with significant extensions or a variant of Csus4. This immediate harmonic richness means that simple strumming produces a full, inspiring sound without needing complex fingerings.

Key chords and accessible shapes include:

• Open Tuning Chord: A full Fmaj9 or C6/F sound is achieved by simply strumming all open strings, perfect for droning, ambient textures, or as a foundational rhythm. The two Gs and two Cs create a beautiful ringing quality.
• F Major Family: With F-A-C on the lower strings, F Major triad shapes are naturally at hand. Barring across any fret will instantly create new open chords based on the root of that fret. For instance, barring at the 2nd fret would yield G-B-D-A-D-A, creating an open Gsus4/G tuning.
• C Major and G Chords: The presence of C-G-C-G across the middle and high strings means that C major and G-based chords (like G5, Gsus4) are highly resonant and easily accessible. Fingerings that mute the lower F-A or utilize them for harmonic contrast will sound great.
• Drone Capabilities: The multiple C and G notes, along with the F bass, make this tuning excellent for creating sustained drones, especially for modal or minimalist music.

This tuning encourages exploration beyond standard chord shapes, inviting players to discover unique voicings by simply shifting a single finger or barring across a few strings. Slides and open string glissandos will sound particularly vibrant due to the inherent resonance and the intervals between strings.

How to Tune:

To achieve the FACGCG tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these precise string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to F2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 3 semitones from E4 to G4. (Please take care when tuning this string up, as it involves a significant increase in tension. While +3 semitones is often manageable, for changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different gauge string is generally advised.)

Always tune carefully and check your string's tension, especially when tuning up multiple semitones. It's recommended to use a reliable digital tuner for accuracy and to allow the strings to settle after tuning.

String 6: F2 (Low F)

String 5: A2

String 4: C3

String 3: G3

String 2: C4

String 1: G4 (High G)