The "Full Step Up" tuning, also known for its use in Idir's song "Assendu," presents a unique sonic landscape by significantly altering the standard EADGBe intervals. While its name suggests a uniform full-step shift, this tuning actually involves a mix of half-step and full-step adjustments across the strings, resulting in the open notes F-B-E-A-C-F. This creates a distinctive tonal character, moving away from the familiar perfect fourths and major third of standard tuning.

Verbal Analysis

At first glance, the tuning appears bright due to all strings being tuned up from standard. The repeated F notes on the 6th (lowest) and 1st (highest) strings provide a strong tonal center, creating a natural resonance for compositions in F major or related keys. The most striking deviation from standard tuning is the interval between the 6th (F) and 5th (B) strings, which forms an augmented fourth (a tritone). This specific interval often brings a sense of tension or bluesy character to the lower register, suggesting its use for driving rhythms or expressive melodic lines rather than traditional consonant bass notes. Higher up, the 4th (E), 3rd (A), 2nd (C), and 1st (F) strings form an interesting cluster that hints at an F major 7th chord with A in the bass (Fmaj7/A) or an A minor chord with an added F. This particular grouping allows for rich, open voicings and provides a melodic playground for fingerstyle or intricate chordal work. The overall feel is one of open resonance, with the potential for both bright, folky sounds and more ambiguous, tension-laden harmonies due to the tritone.

Technical Analysis

The tuning F2-B2-E3-A3-C4-F4 differs from standard E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 as follows:

• String 6 (F2): Up 1 semitone from E2.
• String 5 (B2): Up 2 semitones from A2.
• String 4 (E3): Up 2 semitones from D3.
• String 3 (A3): Up 2 semitones from G3.
• String 2 (C4): Up 1 semitone from B3.
• String 1 (F4): Up 1 semitone from E4.

• 6th to 5th (F2 to B2): Augmented 4th (6 semitones) - a significant departure from the standard Perfect 4th.
• 5th to 4th (B2 to E3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones) - maintains standard interval.
• 4th to 3rd (E3 to A3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones) - maintains standard interval.
• 3rd to 2nd (A3 to C4): Minor 3rd (3 semitones) - a change from the standard Major 3rd.
• 2nd to 1st (C4 to F4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones) - maintains standard interval.

Open Chords & Reachable Voicings

The open strings F-B-E-A-C-F do not form a conventional triad or seventh chord across all six strings. However, several interesting voicings emerge:

• Ignoring the 5th string (B), the F-E-A-C-F notes provide strong F major elements, particularly the F2, A3, C4, F4 combination, which forms an F major triad across strings 6, 3, 2, and 1, reinforced by the high F.
• The top four strings (E3-A3-C4-F4) can be seen as an F major 7th chord with A in the bass (Fmaj7/A), offering a rich, consonant sound ideal for melodic playing or arpeggios.
• Due to the two Fs, chords centered around F major, such as F major, Fsus2, or Fadd9, will be readily accessible and resonant. Minor chords like A minor (A-C-E) are also easily formed on strings 4, 3, and 2.
• The tritone (F-B) between the lowest two strings opens up possibilities for blues-oriented or more experimental music, where this dissonance can be effectively exploited for tension and release.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Full Step Up" tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully adjust each string as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitones to F2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitones to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 1 semitones to F4.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings up or down by more than 4 semitones (four half-steps), it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to prevent excessive tension on the neck or potential string breakage for upward tuning, and to maintain playability/intonation for downward tuning. For this tuning, all strings are moved by 1 or 2 semitones, which is typically within a safe range for standard string gauges. Always exercise caution, tune gradually, and listen to your instrument's response.

String 6 (Lowest): F2

String 5: B2

String 4: E3

String 3: A3

String 2: C4

String 1 (Highest): F4