The "Narcolepsy" tuning, also known by its open notes F# A D F# A E, is a unique and resonant guitar tuning famously used by Third Eye Blind. This tuning transforms your guitar into a rich soundscape, perfect for creating atmospheric and full-bodied sonic textures.

Verbal Analysis

"Narcolepsy" offers a dreamy, almost melancholic, yet powerful sound. The combination of open strings creates a deep, resonant quality that can fill a room. It encourages open-string arpeggios and big, sweeping strumming patterns. The tuning feels expansive and gives a sense of a lush, suspended harmony, making it ideal for alternative rock, indie, or any genre that benefits from a distinctive and memorable guitar sound. It has a slightly dark and introspective feel, inviting exploration of both melodic lines and rich harmonic washes.

Technical Analysis

Starting from standard E A D G B E, this tuning makes several key adjustments:

• The low E string (6th string) is tuned up 2 semitones to F#3.
• The A string (5th string) and D string (4th string) remain at their standard A2 and D3 respectively.
• The G string (3rd string) is tuned down 1 semitone to F#4, creating an octave relationship with the low F# and offering a bright, resonant drone.
• The B string (2nd string) is tuned down 2 semitones to A3, forming an octave with the open A string.
• The high E string (1st string) remains at its standard E4.

The resulting open string notes are F# A D F# A E. When strummed open, these notes harmonically form a Dadd9 chord (D - F# - A - E) with an F# in the bass (Dadd9/F#). This complex harmony gives the tuning its signature full and suspended sound.

Open Chords and Possibilities

This tuning opens up new harmonic possibilities:

• Open Dadd9/F#: Strumming all six open strings immediately gives you a rich Dadd9 chord with a strong F# bass note. This is the inherent sound of the tuning and provides a lush foundation.
• Open D Major: By simply muting the high E string (or avoiding it), you can achieve a resonant D major chord (F# A D F# A).
• F# Minor Voicings: The presence of F# and A at multiple octaves, along with the high E string, allows for easy access to F# minor voicings, often with added extensions or drone notes. For example, the three highest strings (F# A E) outline an F# minor triad, offering melodic and harmonic possibilities within that key.
• Melodic Opportunities: The closely voiced F# and A notes, along with the higher E, provide excellent drone opportunities and make melodic runs within a D major or F# minor context particularly resonant and full.

The unique intervallic relationships encourage a fresh approach to the fretboard, making familiar chord shapes sound entirely new and inspiring creative exploration.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Narcolepsy" tuning from standard E A D G B E, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#3. Be mindful when tuning up, as excessive tension can be harmful to the string and guitar.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E4.

All string movements are within a safe range (+/- 4 semitones) for standard gauge strings. However, always exercise caution when tuning strings up, especially if your guitar is not regularly maintained.

6th String: F#3 (F Sharp three)

5th String: A2 (A two)

4th String: D3 (D three)

3rd String: F#4 (F Sharp four)

2nd String: A3 (A three)

1st String: E4 (E four)