Verbal Analysis

This intriguing tuning, known as F7sus4, is notably used by Lee Ranaldo in Sonic Youth's song "Blackt Out." As one might expect from Ranaldo's experimental approach, it's not a standard or immediately intuitive setup, but rather a canvas for unique textures and sonic exploration.

The low 6th and 5th strings both tuned to F2 create a powerful, resonant, and almost symphonic drone at the core of the sound. This double root provides immense bottom-end weight and sustain, perfect for driving rhythmic figures or sustained atmospheric passages. The open strings themselves form a rich, complex F7sus4 chord (F-Bb-C-Eb), giving it a full, slightly jazzy, yet raw feel. The suspended 4th (A#/Bb) adds a melodic tension that can be resolved or maintained for an open, airy quality. This tuning is likely designed for leveraging open string harmonics and sympathetic vibrations, allowing for a wide dynamic range and an almost piano-like resonance, especially with Ranaldo's characteristic use of prepared guitar and feedback.

Chords and melodic lines will naturally gravitate around the F tonality, but with the built-in tension of the suspended 4th and minor 7th. Traditional chord shapes will be re-contextualized, encouraging players to discover new voicings and dissonances that resolve in unexpected ways. The prevalence of F across different octaves also means that single-note lines can gain unusual depth and resonance by utilizing the droning open strings.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this Guitar tuning are:

• 6th String: F2 (Root)
• 5th String: F2 (Root / Unison with 6th string, providing a thick, droning foundation)
• 4th String: D#4 (Eb4 - Minor 7th above F)
• 3rd String: F3 (Octave of the root F2)
• 2nd String: A#4 (Bb4 - Perfect 4th/Suspended 4th above F)
• 1st String: C4 (Perfect 5th above F)

When all open strings are strummed, they articulate an F7sus4 chord (F - A#/Bb - C - D#/Eb). The specific voicing with the doubled F2 provides a very strong fundamental, while the D#4 (Eb4) adds the characteristic minor seventh and the A#4 (Bb4) provides the suspended fourth tension. This chord structure is highly resonant and lends itself to rich, sustained voicings.

How to Tune

To achieve the F7sus4 tuning from standard EADGBe:

• 6th String (Low E): Starting from E2, tune up 1 semitone to reach F2.
• 5th String (A): Starting from A2, tune down 4 semitones to reach F2. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and playability.
• 4th String (D): Starting from D3, tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4.
• 3rd String (G): Starting from G3, tune down 2 semitones to reach F3.
• 2nd String (B): Starting from B3, tune down 1 semitone to reach A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Starting from E4, tune down 4 semitones to reach C4. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and playability.

The open notes for this F7sus4 tuning are:

• 6th String: F2
• 5th String: F2
• 4th String: D#4
• 3rd String: F3
• 2nd String: A#4
• 1st String: C4