FFCCF Guitar Tuner

FFCCF Chris Cornell- Correct One:) - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Chris Cornell- Correct One:)

Seasons song from Chris Cornell. (Everyone else is wrong). This is the album version.

Tuning Analysis: Chris Cornell's "Seasons" Tuning

This unique 5-string tuning, famously used by Chris Cornell for his iconic track "Seasons" (as described in the album version, confirming its accuracy), significantly deviates from standard guitar tuning to create its distinctive, resonant sound. It's an open F major based tuning, delivering a rich, full, and somewhat melancholic feel that perfectly underpins the song's atmosphere. The radical string movements, particularly the significant drops on what would typically be the A, D, and G strings, contribute to a deep, almost drone-like quality, allowing for easy harmonic exploration centered around the key of F.

Technical Analysis

The open strings for this tuning are F2, F2, C3, C3, F4. This configuration immediately presents a robust F major chord (F-C-F) across multiple octaves and unisons.

Low F (F2): The lowest two active strings are tuned to F2, providing a powerful, deep fundamental.
Middle C (C3): The next two strings are tuned to C3, the perfect fifth of F, adding harmonic depth and stability.
High F (F4): The highest string completes the chord with an F an octave higher, offering brightness and chime.

This specific arrangement makes open F major chords readily available simply by strumming the open strings. The extensive doubling of Fs and Cs creates a thick, layered sound. While primarily an F tuning, other chords in the key of F, such as Bb major or C major, can be explored with adapted shapes, leveraging the resonant open strings. The tuning particularly lends itself to fingerstyle playing and arpeggiation, allowing the different octaves of F and C to ring out, creating a rich sonic landscape.

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

Achieving this tuning requires some significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please pay close attention to the instructions and note the recommendations for string gauge when tuning beyond +/- 4 semitones.

Low E String (String 5 in this tuning): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to **F2**. (A modest adjustment.)
A String (String 4 in this tuning): Tune down 4 semitones from A2 to **F2**. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop. For optimal tone and tension, especially when playing aggressively, a heavier gauge string is advised.)
D String (String 3 in this tuning): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to **C3**. (A moderate adjustment.)
G String (String 2 in this tuning): Tune down 7 semitones from G3 to **C3**. (Note: Tuning down 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) is a very substantial drop. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised here to maintain proper intonation, tension, and avoid potential buzz.)
High E String (String 1 in this tuning): Tune up 1 semitone from E4 to **F4**. (A modest adjustment.)
B String (Standard String 2): This tuning specifically outlines a 5-string configuration. The standard B string (B3) is not explicitly included in this tuning and would typically be muted or removed for this specific arrangement, or could be adapted to another chord tone of F if a 6-string approach is desired.

Always tune slowly and carefully, especially with large string tension changes, to prevent string breakage or potential damage to your instrument's neck. Intonation may also need to be checked and adjusted at the bridge due to these significant tuning changes.

The open string notes for this tuning, from lowest pitched (String 5, equivalent to your Low E) to highest pitched (String 1, equivalent to your High E), are as follows: