Description: Julie's F-A#-F-F-C-D Tuning

This is a truly unique and exploratory tuning, a departure from conventional open tunings. Known as 'Julie's F-A#-F-F-C-D Tuning', it offers a sophisticated, slightly dissonant yet rich sonic palette that invites atmospheric and experimental playing. The repeated F notes create a strong, droning foundation, while the intervallic relationships between the other strings introduce intriguing harmonic colors. It's a tuning that doesn't immediately suggest a simple major or minor chord but instead points towards suspended harmonies and extended voicings, perfect for players looking to break new ground.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to F2-A#3-F3-F3-C4-D4. When enharmonically considering A# as Bb, the notes present are F, Bb, C, and D. This configuration forms an F6(sus4) chord (F - Bb - C - D), giving the tuning a complex, suspended, and extended harmonic character right from the open position.

• Unison Fs: A defining feature is the unison tuning of F3 on both the 4th and 3rd strings. This creates a powerful central drone and a unique symmetrical reference point for chord shapes and melodic lines.
• Intervallic Structure: The tuning moves from a root F (string 6) to a Perfect 4th (A#/Bb, string 5), then to an octave F (string 4 and 3), a Perfect 5th C (string 2), and finally a Major 6th D (string 1). The specific intervals between adjacent open strings are: Perfect 4th (F2 to A#3/Bb3), Perfect 4th (A#3/Bb3 to F3), Unison (F3 to F3), Perfect 5th (F3 to C4), and Major 2nd (C4 to D4).
• Harmonic Possibilities: With the open strings forming an F6(sus4), this tuning is excellent for exploring ambient soundscapes, fingerstyle patterns, and arpeggios that highlight the suspended and extended qualities. Basic Fsus4 and F6 shapes will be readily available or easily adapted. The drone on the Fs allows for melodic exploration on the higher strings. Moving away from open position, chords will have a fresh feel, especially those utilizing the unison Fs.
• Considered Chords: Given the F6(sus4) nature, open position chords will naturally lean towards variations of Fsus4 and F6. Experimenting with a capo can shift this harmonic foundation, opening up a plethora of suspended and extended chords in different keys while retaining the unique intervallic relationships. The unison Fs also mean that simple two-finger chords across strings 3 and 4 (e.g., fretting both at the 1st fret for F#) will sound as a root and octave.

Tuning Notes:

Your guitar strings should be tuned to the following notes from lowest (6th) to highest (1st):

• String 6 (Low E): F2
• String 5 (A): A#3
• String 4 (D): F3
• String 3 (G): F3
• String 2 (B): C4
• String 1 (High E): D4

How to Tune:

To achieve 'Julie's F-A#-F-F-C-D Tuning' from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these specific string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to F2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 1 semitone from A3 to A#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 3 semitones from D3 to F3. Please exercise caution when tuning this string up by 3 semitones, as significant tension changes can occur. For frequent use, considering a different string gauge might be advisable.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G3 to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.