Tuning Overview

This is an inspiring open tuning for the Guitar, providing a rich, resonant soundscape. Inheriting its core from an F major tonality, this variation introduces a distinct G in the bass, creating an Open Fadd9 chord when strummed. It's a versatile tuning perfect for exploring genres like folk, blues, rock, and ambient music, offering a full, drone-like quality to your playing with minimal effort.

Technically, the tuning is structured around an F major triad (F-A-C) with an added G (the 9th) in the lower register. The open strings, F2-G2-C3-A3-C4-F4, immediately present a beautiful Fadd9 voicing, making it exceptionally easy to produce full, harmonically rich chords. The perfect 5th interval between the 6th (F) and 4th (C) strings, and the perfect 4th between the 5th (G) and 4th (C) strings, provide excellent anchors for melodic lines and chord voicings. Barre chords will naturally yield other add9 chords (e.g., Aadd9 at the 5th fret). The close grouping of C3-A3-C4 on the middle strings (4, 3, 2) also encourages creative melodic and arpeggiated patterns. This tuning encourages a relaxed approach to fretting, letting the open strings ring out and contribute to the overall resonance.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve this 'Open Fadd9 Tuning', you'll adjust each string from standard E Standard tuning. Please pay close attention to the direction and number of semitones for each string. Remember that for movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different gauge string is generally advised for optimal tension and playability.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone to F2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 1 semitone to F4.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to F2.

String 5 (A): Tuned to G2.

String 4 (D): Tuned to C3.

String 3 (G): Tuned to A3.

String 2 (B): Tuned to C4.

String 1 (High E): Tuned to F4.