Tuning Analysis: for sure af (American Football-Inspired)

This unique guitar tuning, often associated with the band American Football, known for their influential emo and math rock sound, offers a rich and complex harmonic landscape. The tuning, named "for sure af" and inspired by its use on Ultimate Guitar Tabs, is designed to facilitate open, ringing chord voicings and intricate arpeggiated patterns characteristic of the band's style.

Verbal Description

At first glance, this tuning departs significantly from standard EADGBe, creating an immediate sense of openness and potential for unexpected harmonies. The lowest string is raised to F, providing a deep, resonant foundation. The combination of the open strings allows for a blend of suspended and extended chord qualities, lending itself to a dreamy, atmospheric, and slightly melancholic sound. It feels designed for delicate fingerpicking rather than aggressive strumming, encouraging players to explore sustained notes and intervallic relationships across the fretboard. The overall character is spacious and complex, inviting experimentation with arpeggios and melodic lines.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are F2, A#3, C3, G3, C4, E4 (from low E to high E string). Let's break down the intervals and potential chord voicings:

• String 6 (F2) and String 5 (A#3): The interval between the two lowest strings is an octave and a major third (F2 to A#3 is 16 semitones). This is a very wide and resonant interval for adjacent strings. The A# is enharmonically Bb, making the F-Bb interval a perfect fourth.
• Strings 4, 3, 2, 1 (C3, G3, C4, E4): These higher strings beautifully outline a C Major arpeggio (C-G-C-E). This means a bright and clear C Major chord is readily available simply by strumming these four strings open.
• Overall Harmony: Combining all open strings (F2, A#3/Bb3, C3, G3, C4, E4) results in a complex harmony. The notes present are F, G, A#/Bb, C, E. This can be interpreted as an Fsus4 chord (F-Bb-C) with an added 9th (G) and a major 7th (E). It creates a rich Fmaj11sus4 or Fmaj7#11sus4 quality, offering a sophisticated, open, and somewhat ethereal sound without needing to fret many notes.

This tuning strongly supports:

• Open Chords: An open C major chord is immediately available on strings 4-1. The full open tuning creates a complex F-based suspended chord with extensions.
• Arpeggiated Figures: The consistent intervals on the higher strings (C-G-C-E) make arpeggios flow naturally and sound full.
• Melodic Lead Lines: The unique intervals between strings offer fresh possibilities for melodic construction, breaking away from standard scale shapes.

Players can easily discover intricate patterns and harmonies that would be challenging or impossible in standard tuning, making it ideal for creating ambient textures and distinctive guitar parts.

How to Tune: for sure af

To achieve the 'for sure af' tuning, please adjust your guitar strings according to the following instructions. It's always recommended to use a reliable tuner and to tune slowly and carefully from standard EADGBe tuning.

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to reach F2. Exercise caution with string tension.
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 1 semitone to reach A3#. Note: While the instruction specifies tuning up 1 semitone, the target note A3# is an octave higher than A#2 (which would be 1 semitone up from standard A2). Tune slowly and carefully, ensuring your string can handle the increased tension if aiming for A3#.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to reach C3. Exercise caution with string tension.
• String 3 (G string): Keep as is; no change from G3. The string should remain at G3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to reach C4. Exercise caution with string tension.
• String 1 (High E string): Keep as is; no change from E4. The string should remain at E4.

General Tuning Advice: For any string movement exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is advisable to ensure string integrity and optimal tension. All movements for this tuning are within +/- 2 semitones, so standard gauges should generally be fine, but always tune slowly and listen for any undue strain on your strings or guitar.