Verbal Analysis

The 'All F's Drone' tuning is a highly unique and resonant open tuning for the guitar, designed to create a powerful, sustained single-note soundscape. As its name implies, every string on the guitar is tuned to an F note, spanning across multiple octaves from the deep F2 on the lowest strings to the bright F4 on the highest. This creates an incredibly full and almost symphonic F drone, which can be both meditative and intensely expressive.

This tuning lends itself beautifully to experimental, ambient, and drone music genres where a continuous, evolving sonic texture is paramount. The original description highlights its suitability for bowing, which would further enhance sustain and allow for violin-like qualities to emerge from the guitar. It encourages a different approach to playing, focusing on the rich overtones and sympathetic vibrations that naturally occur. Players can explore harmonic variations by simply barring a single fret across all strings, instantly creating new root chords.

Technical Analysis

This guitar tuning consists of the following open string notes: F2, F2, F3, F3, F3, F4 (from low E string to high E string). The intervallic structure between adjacent strings is as follows:

• String 6 (F2) to String 5 (F2): Perfect Unison
• String 5 (F2) to String 4 (F3): Perfect Octave
• String 4 (F3) to String 3 (F3): Perfect Unison
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (F3): Perfect Unison
• String 2 (F3) to String 1 (F4): Perfect Octave

When strummed open, this tuning produces an incredibly rich and resonant F power chord, or a massive F major/minor chord (without a dedicated third, the context defines it) across three octaves. This makes the guitar itself a giant F chord. Chords are simplified drastically; any finger placed across all strings at a single fret will produce a new power chord based on that fret. For example, barring the 1st fret yields an F# (Gb) power chord, and barring the 5th fret yields an A# (Bb) power chord. This facilitates powerful harmonic shifts with minimal effort, making it ideal for creating thick, sustained soundscapes or rhythmic grooves built on a strong, fundamental root note.

Considerations for String Gauge

Given the significant string movements required to achieve the 'All F's Drone' tuning from standard EADGBe, careful consideration of string gauges is advised for optimal playability and intonation:

• String 5 (A to F2): This string is tuned down 4 semitones. While a standard gauge might work, a slightly heavier gauge string is recommended to maintain adequate tension and prevent excessive floppiness, which can lead to poor intonation and buzzing.
• String 2 (B to F3): This string requires a substantial drop of 6 semitones, a full perfect fifth. For this string, using a significantly heavier gauge is strongly advised. A standard gauge B string will become extremely loose and difficult to play, likely resulting in severe buzzing and poor tone. A dedicated string for lower tunings or a custom set is highly recommended for this particular string.
• The other strings (String 6, String 4, String 3, String 1) have smaller movements (up 1, up 3, down 2, up 1 semitones respectively). These movements are generally within acceptable limits for standard string gauges, though personal preference for tension might still lead some players to experiment with slightly different gauges.

Open String Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Low E): F2
• String 5 (A): F2
• String 4 (D): F3
• String 3 (G): F3
• String 2 (B): F3
• String 1 (High E): F4

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the 'All F's Drone' tuning, you will need to adjust your guitar strings from standard EADGBe tuning. Please follow these instructions carefully:

• String 6 (Low E to F2): Tune up 1 semitones.
• String 5 (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones.
• String 4 (D to F3): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (B to F3): Tune down 6 semitones.
• String 1 (High E to F4): Tune up 1 semitones.