FA#CGD#FA#D Guitar Tuner

FA#CGD#FA#D | FB♭CGE♭FB♭D Dean Murphy Glacier Bay Tuning, 8 String - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Dean Murphy Glacier Bay Tuning, 8 String

This is the same tuning that he used on Glacier Bay with the Andy McKee tuning in it but this one has the C string raised to an F.

Tuning Analysis: Dean Murphy Glacier Bay, 8 String

Verbal Description

The "Dean Murphy Glacier Bay" tuning for an 8-string guitar is a highly customized and expressive setup, designed for a rich, expansive soundscape. As described, it takes a foundational tuning, possibly related to Andy McKee's approach, and significantly modifies it by raising a specific C string to an F. This alteration, alongside other changes, hints at a strong foundational F harmony and a tuning built for complex, resonant textures. It features a wide range of notes spread across multiple octaves, from a very low F1 on the 8th string to D4 on the 1st string. This extensive range, combined with carefully chosen intervals, creates a sonic tapestry perfect for ambient, progressive, or modern fingerstyle compositions, allowing for deep, resonant bass notes and shimmering, intricate trebles.

Technical Analysis

This 8-string tuning presents the following open notes, from the lowest (8th) to the highest (1st) string:

String 8: F1
String 7: A#2 (Bb2)
String 6: C2
String 5: G2
String 4: D#4 (Eb4)
String 3: F3
String 2: A#4 (Bb4)
String 1: D4

Harmonically, the tuning is built around a complex F-centric tonality. The foundational F1, C2, and F3 provide a strong F power chord presence across different octaves, lending a deep resonance. The inclusion of A#2 (Bb2) and A#4 (Bb4) strongly suggests an Fsus4 harmony (F-Bb-C). Further extending this, the G2 acts as a 9th, the D4 a 13th (or 6th), and the D#4 (Eb4) introduces a flattened 7th, creating a highly sophisticated F7sus4(9,13) voicing when all strings are strummed open or played in combination. This rich blend of root, 4th, 5th, b7th, 9th, and 13th allows for incredibly lush, jazz-influenced, or modern-classical harmonies without fretting.

The wide intervallic jumps, such as the major 3rd/perfect 4th between F1 and A#2 (Bb2), and the perfect 4th between C2 and G2, facilitate open, ringing voicings. The high concentration of notes in the upper registers (D#4, F3, A#4, D4) provides ample opportunity for melodic exploration and shimmering chord extensions. This tuning is particularly suited for intricate fingerstyle arrangements, where the open strings can resonate to form sustained drones and complex harmonic clusters. Simple two or three-finger chords can yield surprisingly rich and extended harmonies, leveraging the open string relationships.

How to Tune

To achieve the Dean Murphy Glacier Bay tuning, follow these specific adjustments from your current setup. It is recommended to use a reliable digital tuner.

String 8 (Lowest, F1): Tune down 1 semitone.
String 7 (A#2 / Bb2): Tune down 1 semitone.
String 6 (C2): Tune down 4 semitones. Please note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant adjustment; consider a different string gauge if you frequently use this tuning to maintain optimal string tension and avoid potential issues.
String 5 (G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
String 4 (D#4 / Eb4): Tune up 1 semitone. Exercise caution when tuning up; make small, gradual adjustments to prevent string breakage.
String 3 (F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
String 2 (A#4 / Bb4): Tune down 1 semitone.
String 1 (Highest, D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Always double-check your tuning after making adjustments, as changes to one string's tension can slightly affect others. Patience and a good tuner are key to achieving optimal results.