Open F5 Tuning

This powerful and resonant tuning, known as Open F5, was notably created and used by Chris Cornell in his iconic song "Seasons."

Verbal Analysis

Open F5 delivers an incredibly full, deep, and driving sound. With two low F notes, it provides a massive bass foundation, making it perfect for heavy riffs and anthemic chord progressions. The repeated C notes add a dense, harmonically rich center, while the high F provides a clear, cutting top end. The overall impression is one of immense power and resonance, allowing for a huge, ringing sound with minimal effort. It evokes a feeling of raw strength and emotional depth, very much in line with Cornell's musical style.

Technical Analysis

The Open F5 tuning sets the strings to the notes F2-F2-C3-C4-C4-F4, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string. This configuration is essentially an F power chord (F-C) spread across four octaves, making it an excellent tuning for powerful, resonant voicings.

• The 6th and 5th strings are both tuned to F2, providing a massive low-end unison that forms the root of the chord.
• The 4th string is C3, establishing the perfect fifth of the F chord.
• The 3rd and 2nd strings are both C4, reinforcing the fifth an octave higher and adding significant harmonic density.
• The 1st string is F4, completing the chord with the root an octave higher, providing clarity and brightness.

The primary benefit of this tuning is the immediate availability of power chords by simply barring across any fret. For example, barring all strings at the 1st fret creates an F#/Gb5 power chord, the 3rd fret creates a G5, and the 5th fret an A5. This makes it exceptionally easy to create powerful, driving rhythm parts with a rich, full sound. While primarily geared towards power chords, slight fingerings can imply major or minor qualities, though its core strength lies in its unambiguous, open power chord voicing.

How to Tune (from Standard E-A-D-G-B-e)

• 6th String (Low E to F2): Tune up 1 semitone. This raises your low E string to F2.
• 5th String (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones. This transforms your A string into F2. While generally manageable, proceed with care as a four-semitone drop can slightly reduce string tension and feel. Strings that are tuned down by more than 4 semitones may benefit from a heavier gauge.
• 4th String (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones. This brings your D string down to C3.
• 3rd String (G to C4): Tune up 5 semitones. IMPORTANT: Tuning a string up by 5 semitones significantly increases tension and carries a risk of string breakage or neck stress. It is strongly advised to use a lighter gauge string for this particular string, or exercise extreme caution when tuning and playing.
• 2nd String (B to C4): Tune up 1 semitone. This raises your B string to C4.
• 1st String (High E to F4): Tune up 1 semitone. This raises your high E string to F4.

6th String: F2
5th String: F2
4th String: C3
3rd String: C4
2nd String: C4
1st String: F4