Tuning Analysis: Fadgce - "Who Found Who's Hair in Whose Bed"

This unique tuning, aptly named "who found who's hair in whose bed" in its description, offers a distinctly unconventional sonic landscape for the guitar. It diverges significantly from standard tuning, inviting players to explore new harmonic possibilities and chord voicings. The arrangement of notes fosters a blend of familiar intervals with surprising juxtapositions, making it ideal for experimental music, jazz, or any genre where a fresh, intricate sound is desired.

Verbal Analysis

The 'fadgce' tuning has an intriguing and somewhat mysterious character. The presence of both F major (F-A-C) and C major (C-E-G) triads within its open strings, alongside a D minor (D-F-A) possibility, suggests a rich harmonic palette that is neither strictly major nor minor. The consecutive perfect fourths in the middle strings (A-D-G-C) create a very consistent and predictable feel across those strings, simplifying scalar and arpeggio runs in some ways, while the surrounding major thirds (F-A and C-E) add brightness. This structure encourages a more linear, less 'blocky' approach to playing, rewarding exploration of individual string voicings and intervals. It's a tuning that sounds sophisticated and somewhat wistful when played open, offering a broad spectrum of emotional expression.

Technical Analysis

The tuning consists of the notes F2-A2-D3-G3-C4-E4 from lowest to highest string. Here's a breakdown of the open string intervals:

• 6th String (F2) to 5th String (A2): Major 3rd
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (D3): Perfect 4th
• 4th String (D3) to 3rd String (G3): Perfect 4th
• 3rd String (G3) to 2nd String (C4): Perfect 4th
• 2nd String (C4) to 1st String (E4): Major 3rd

This specific intervallic structure offers several harmonic possibilities with open strings:

• An F Major chord (F-A-C) can be easily voiced using the open 6th, 5th, and 2nd strings (F2, A2, C4).
• A D Minor chord (D-F-A) is accessible by playing the open 4th, 6th, and 5th strings (D3, F2, A2).
• A C Major chord (C-E-G) can be formed using the open 2nd, 1st, and 3rd strings (C4, E4, G3).
• The open strings F-A-D-G-C-E collectively form a complex, extended harmony, reminiscent of a C6/9 (C E G A D) with an added F, or an Fmaj13 (F A C E G D) with a missing B. This provides a rich, ambiguous sonic backdrop for improvisation.
• The series of perfect fourths in the middle (A-D-G-C) means that certain chord shapes and scales will translate across these strings with consistent fingerings, similar to how standard tuning's D-G-B works but with an added string and different intervals.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'fadgce' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to F2. Take care when tuning up.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2 to A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3 to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4. Take care when tuning up.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.

Important Note: While the tuning adjustments are minor (only 1 semitone up on two strings), always exercise caution when tuning up. If you are ever required to tune a string more than 4 semitones up or down, it is generally recommended to use a different gauge string to avoid potential damage to your instrument or string breakage.

String 6: F2 (Low F)

String 5: A2 (A)

String 4: D3 (D)

String 3: G3 (G)

String 2: C4 (C)

String 1: E4 (High E)