The "FFFFAD" tuning, reportedly used for the song "lochness" by the grungegaze band julie, is a highly distinctive and resonant tuning. It creates a deep, powerful foundation with a unique harmonic texture.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning embraces a very low and heavy sound, characteristic of its grungegaze roots. The immediate striking feature is the multiple F notes across the lower strings (F2, F2, F3, F3). This creates an immense, droning unison and octave F, providing a dense, guttural fundamental that is both powerful and enveloping. It's a tuning designed to fill sonic space with its sheer resonance, creating a wall-of-sound effect perfect for atmospheric and heavy genres.

The upper strings (F3, A3, D4) then introduce a melancholic yet full harmonic texture. When strummed open, the entire tuning creates a sound that strongly features F, with the higher D and A notes implying a D minor chord with an F bass (Dm/F) or an F6 chord (F-A-C-D, with the C implied or absent). This duality provides a rich, slightly somber, and atmospheric quality, perfect for extended, textural playing common in grungegaze and shoegaze genres.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: F2 - F2 - F3 - F3 - A3 - D4 (low E to high E string equivalent).
• Intervals (from low to high string):
  • String 6 (F2) to String 5 (F2): Unison
  • String 5 (F2) to String 4 (F3): Octave Up
  • String 4 (F3) to String 3 (F3): Unison
  • String 3 (F3) to String 2 (A3): Major Third
  • String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect Fourth
• Open Chord Voicing: The open tuning predominantly creates an F drone across the lower strings. The upper strings (F3 A3 D4) form a D minor triad (D-F-A) in its first inversion, or an F6 chord (F-A-C-D) missing the fifth (C). This results in an open chord that can be effectively analyzed as Dm/F or F6(no5).
• Chords within Reach:
  • Drone Power Chords: Due to the multiple F strings at the bottom, barreing any fret across the lowest F strings will immediately create powerful, resonant intervals, ideal for heavy riffs and power chords with an underlying drone. For instance, a single finger across the 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings at the 1st fret would yield a G power chord over an F drone (if not all Fs are played), or simply an F power chord across the F strings.
  • F6 / Dm Voicings: The F-A-D arrangement on the upper strings makes various F6 and D minor voicings very accessible, lending themselves to melodic lines and atmospheric progressions.
  • Custom Shapes: This tuning encourages exploration of unique fingerings and shapes, moving away from standard chord forms to discover new voicings that leverage the resonant F foundation and the specific intervals of the upper strings.

Current Tuning: F2 F2 F3 F3 A3 D4 (Low E String to High E String)

How to Tune from Standard EADGBe

• String 6 (Low E String): To reach F2, tune this string up 1 semitone from E2.
• String 5 (A String): To reach F2, tune this string down 4 semitones from A2. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; consider a thicker gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• String 4 (D String): To reach F3, tune this string up 3 semitones from D3. Note: Tuning up 3 semitones puts considerable tension on the string; proceed with care.
• String 3 (G String): To reach F3, tune this string down 2 semitones from G3.
• String 2 (B String): To reach A3, tune this string down 2 semitones from B3.
• String 1 (High E String): To reach D4, tune this string down 2 semitones from E4.