The FAGDAD tuning is a highly unconventional and sonically rich setup, perfectly encapsulating the sentiment of its original description: "oh, you're one of THOSE families," and drawing a clear parallel to the experimental and often dissonant tunings characteristic of bands like Sonic Youth. This tuning is designed for musicians eager to explore unique harmonic territories and textural soundscapes, moving far beyond standard chord voicings.

Verbal Analysis: FAGDAD conjures a sound that is both raw and deeply atmospheric. The dramatic drops in pitch on the middle strings impart a loose, almost sludgy feel, ideal for creating thick drones, resonant open string passages, and an overall heavy, expansive texture. The unusual sequence of F2, A2, and G2 in the lower register establishes a complex, non-traditional bass foundation, allowing for a rich blend of consonant and dissonant overtones. This isn't a tuning for easy strumming of major/minor chords; instead, it invites experimentation with sustained notes, percussive elements, and intricate melodic lines that exploit the unique open string relationships. It leans towards genres like experimental rock, post-punk, noise rock, or even avant-garde folk, where sonic exploration takes precedence.

Technical Analysis: The open strings for FAGDAD are F2 A2 G2 D3 A3 D4. Let's examine the intervals between adjacent strings:

• 6th String (F2) to 5th String (A2): A Major Third (4 semitones).
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (G2): A Major Second (descending, 2 semitones, or an ascending Minor Seventh, 10 semitones). This creates a striking, often dissonant, tension between these two bass strings.
• 4th String (G2) to 3rd String (D3): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• 3rd String (D3) to 2nd String (A3): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• 2nd String (A3) to 1st String (D4): A Perfect Fourth (5 semitones).

The core harmony presented by the open strings includes F, A, G, and D. The middle and high strings (D3, A3, D4) immediately form a powerful D power chord. When considering the full open set, the tuning leans towards a D minor tonality (D-F-A), with the G2 adding a suspended 4th or an added 4th quality, creating a Dm(add4) or Dsus4 chord with the minor third also present, all underpinned by a deep F. This combination creates a rich, complex, and somewhat ambiguous harmony that can serve as an excellent canvas for both melodic improvisation and dense, layered soundscapes. The repeated D and A notes across octaves provide resonant anchor points, allowing other notes to ring out with significant sustain. This tuning excels in generating dense, resonant drones and exploring harmonies outside of typical diatonic frameworks.

Open String Notes for FAGDAD Tuning

Below are the target notes for each string in FAGDAD tuning, from lowest to highest:

• 6th String (Low E): F2
• 5th String (A): A2
• 4th String (D): G2
• 3rd String (G): D3
• 2nd String (B): A3
• 1st String (High E): D4

How to Tune Your Guitar to FAGDAD

To achieve the FAGDAD tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully follow these instructions. Please exercise caution, especially with significant pitch changes, as they can greatly affect string tension and may require a different string gauge for optimal performance, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or potential instrument damage.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitones from its standard E2 to F2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 7 semitones from its standard D3 to G2. (Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is advised for better tension and tone.)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones from its standard G3 to D3. (Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is advised for better tension and tone.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard B3 to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E4 to D4.

Please note that string movements exceeding negative 4 or positive 4 semitones, as seen on the 4th and 3rd strings in this tuning, can dramatically alter string tension. For optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent potential damage to your instrument, considering a different, usually heavier, string gauge for these particular strings is strongly recommended.