Tuning Analysis: F Harmonic Drift

The "F Harmonic Drift" tuning, derived from the experimental "Experiment" tuning, offers a truly unique and expressive sonic landscape. As the original creator noted, it's a tuning "just trying things out, new tuning to help with originality," and it certainly delivers on that promise.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning features a low F on the 6th string, providing a deep, resonant foundation. The open strings F-A-E-G-A-E create a rich, almost ethereal sound that isn't immediately identifiable as a simple major or minor chord. It has a distinctive open, suspending quality that evokes images of ambient soundscapes, modern folk, or progressive rock. The spread of A and E notes across the middle and high strings lends itself to shimmering arpeggios and resonant drone passages. It encourages players to explore new harmonic territories and move beyond conventional chord shapes, fostering genuine originality in composition and improvisation.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: F2 - A2 - E3 - G3 - A3 - E4
• Intervals from lowest string (F2):
  • 6th (F2) to 5th (A2): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
  • 5th (A2) to 4th (E3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
  • 4th (E3) to 3rd (G3): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
  • 3rd (G3) to 2nd (A3): Major 2nd (2 semitones)
  • 2nd (A3) to 1st (E4): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)

The tuning creates a unique harmonic cluster of F, G, A, and E. Specifically, the open strings contain elements of an Fmaj7 (F-A-E) with an added G (9th) but without a C (5th). This gives it a sophisticated, almost jazz-like color without being overtly complex to play. The repeated Perfect 5th intervals (A2-E3 and A3-E4) across the 5th-4th and 2nd-1st strings provide excellent opportunities for resonant power chords and open string harmonics. The presence of the E-G minor 3rd suggests that blues and minor key explorations will also feel natural within this tuning. It's a highly melodic and harmonically rich tuning that rewards exploration.

Open & Reachable Chords

While not an immediate single-chord open tuning, the "F Harmonic Drift" offers a wealth of possibilities:

• Open Fmaj7(add9)/no5: The full open tuning (F-A-E-G-A-E) itself can be perceived as an Fmaj7 chord with an added 9th (G), lacking the 5th (C), providing a lush and open sound.
• A Minor or A Major Resonance: With A2 on the 5th string, E3 on the 4th, and A3 on the 2nd, chords centered around A (A minor, A major, A7) will have significant natural resonance and depth.
• E Minor Chord Shapes: The E3-G3-E4 (4th, 3rd, 1st strings) forms an E minor triad, making E minor voicings and scales easily accessible.
• F Power Chords: The F2 on the 6th string, combined with its Major 3rd (A2) and Perfect 5th (E3) further up the neck (or even by just using the F and A), allows for powerful, low-end focused F chords.
• Accessible Fifth Intervals: The P5 intervals on strings 5-4 (A-E) and 2-1 (A-E) make it easy to play two-finger power chords or drone notes across these string pairs.

This tuning is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, allowing for complex arpeggios and interwoven melodies. Its unique voicing encourages breaking free from standard shapes and discovering new harmonic textures.

Tuning Notes

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

• 6th String: F2 (Low F)
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: E4 (High E)

How to Tune

To achieve the "F Harmonic Drift" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and follow these instructions for each string. Please note: If a string needs to be tuned up or down more than 4 semitones, it is generally recommended to consider a different string gauge to prevent excessive tension or looseness. In this tuning, all movements are within a safe range for standard strings.

• 6th String (Low E to F2): Tune up 1 semitones to F2.
• 5th String (A to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard A2.
• 4th String (D to E3): Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• 3rd String (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard G3.
• 2nd String (B to A3): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E to E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E4.