This unique tuning, which we've named 'Metamorphosis Open F', offers a distinctive sonic landscape, drawing inspiration from its original description. It deviates significantly from standard tuning, creating a rich and resonant open chord with an intriguing harmonic character. The 'Metamorphosis' aspect suggests a transformative journey in sound, perfect for players looking to explore new harmonic territories.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, Metamorphosis Open F presents an expansive and sophisticated sound. The open strings immediately form a vibrant F Major 7th chord (F-A-C-E) with the addition of a D note, resulting in an Fmaj7(add6) or Fmaj9 (where D acts as the 9th). This gives the tuning a naturally resolved yet open and airy quality, perfect for ambient soundscapes, fingerstyle pieces, or progressive rock. The prominent F root is reinforced by an octave, providing a solid foundation, while the A, C, E, and D add layers of major tonality and tension. It invites a thoughtful, perhaps melancholic or reflective mood, but also possesses a bright clarity.

Due to the open chord structure, barring across all strings at any fret will yield a transposed version of the Fmaj7(add6) chord, making it easy to move this rich harmony up and down the neck. The specific intervals also make it conducive to playing two-finger chords and power chords with added extensions, as many notes are already present in the open strings. Chords like open Fmaj7, Am7 (using the A, C, E), and Dsus2 (using D, E, F on higher strings) become readily accessible, offering a fresh take on familiar voicings.

Technical Analysis

The tuning is rooted in F, with the open strings spelling out F2-A2-D3-F3-C4-E4. Analyzing the intervals from the lowest F (F2), we find:

• String 6 (F2): Root
• String 5 (A2): Major 3rd
• String 4 (D3): Major 6th (or 9th if considering F as root)
• String 3 (F3): Octave
• String 2 (C4): Perfect 5th
• String 1 (E4): Major 7th

This configuration explicitly forms an Fmaj7(add6) or Fmaj9 (with no explicit 5th, but C is present). The presence of the Major 7th (E) alongside the root and Major 3rd (A) provides the distinct Fmaj7 character. The D adds color, functioning as a Major 6th or 9th, depending on harmonic context. This tuning offers a versatile palette for intricate arpeggios and resonant open-string passages.

How to Tune

To achieve the Metamorphosis Open F tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string movements:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone to F2. (Caution: Small increase in string tension.)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4. (Caution: Small increase in string tension.)
• String 1 (High e): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

All string movements are within the generally acceptable range of +/- 4 semitones. Therefore, a change in string gauge is not strictly necessary for this tuning, though always ensure your guitar's neck relief is stable when experimenting with new tunings.

Below are the precise notes for each string in the Metamorphosis Open F tuning:

• String 6 (Lowest): F2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: C4
• String 1 (Highest): E4