The San Francisco Tuning offers a unique and unconventional approach to the guitar, designed to evoke a distinctive feel, often compared to a ukulele. As described by its creator, this tuning conceptually shifts elements of standard tuning two strings to the right, though its actual open notes create a fresh harmonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is a departure from the familiar, aiming for a sound reminiscent of the iconic song "If You're Going to San Francisco." The creator notes a significant shift in playing style, suggesting that it plays "much more like a ukulele than a regular guitar" and encourages using "uke fingerings on the low four strings to varying degrees of success." This implies a lighter, perhaps more melodic or arpeggiated approach rather than heavy chord strumming, fostering a more intimate connection with the instrument, and perhaps encouraging more thumb-based playing styles. The open, somewhat dissonant voicings can lend themselves to dreamy, folk, or psychedelic rock textures, perfect for experimental songwriting or creating evocative soundscapes.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for San Francisco Tuning are F2, A#3, D3, G3, D4, F4 (from low to high string). Let's examine the intervals:

• 6th String (F2) to 5th String (A#3): A substantial jump of 18 semitones (a tritone plus an octave). This creates a very wide interval, giving the lowest strings a distinct separation.
• 5th String (A#3) to 4th String (D3): A significant drop of 8 semitones (a major sixth down). This is a highly unusual and jarring interval for adjacent strings, forcing players to rethink traditional chord shapes.
• 4th String (D3) to 3rd String (G3): A perfect fourth up (5 semitones), a common and stable interval.
• 3rd String (G3) to 2nd String (D4): A perfect fifth up (7 semitones), another strong and common interval.
• 2nd String (D4) to 1st String (F4): A minor third up (3 semitones), creating a plaintive or bluesy quality on the highest strings.

The open strings (F, A#, D, G, D, F) when harmonized, lean towards a G minor 7th chord with an F in the bass (F-G-A#-D-D-F) or a Bb Major 13th chord with F in the bass. This open voicing is neither a simple major nor minor, offering a sophisticated and open sound right from the first strum. The unique interval structure, especially the large jump on the lower strings, contributes to the stated ukulele-like feel, potentially by creating less dense voicings and encouraging more arpeggiated patterns, particularly on the middle and upper strings (D3-G3-D4-F4). The top four strings (D-G-D-F) themselves suggest a G major chord with a D in the bass, or a D minor 7th chord if an A were present. This makes them highly versatile for folk-style melodies and open chord voicings.

Because of the unconventional intervals, standard chord shapes will need significant adjustment. However, the open tuning itself provides a rich, complex chord, which can serve as a home base. The relatively consistent Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, and Minor 3rd intervals on the upper four strings (D-G-D-F) might make for some interesting scale and melodic possibilities that feel intuitive once accustomed, possibly leading to easier discovery of new voicings within a specific key or mode.

Your guitar will be tuned as follows, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st) string:

• 6th String (Low E): F2
• 5th String (A): A#3
• 4th String (D): D3
• 3rd String (G): G3
• 2nd String (B): D4
• 1st String (High E): F4

How to Tune to San Francisco Tuning

To achieve the San Francisco Tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise movements for each string:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitones. The target note is F2. This is a minor second up from standard E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitones. The target note is A#3. This is a minor second up from standard A2, though the target note is an octave higher than a simple 1-semitone increase would suggest from A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones. The target note is D4. This is a minor third up from standard B3. Exercise care when tuning this string up.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 1 semitones. The target note is F4. This is a minor second up from standard E4.

All specified string movements are within the safe range for standard gauge guitar strings (not exceeding +/- 4 semitones). However, always exercise caution, especially when tuning strings up by multiple semitones, such as the 2nd string in this tuning.