About the F#dim Tuning

The F#dim tuning is a deeply resonant and harmonically unique setup for the guitar, designed to evoke a distinct mood often associated with tension, mystery, and melancholy. Its open strings immediately form an F# diminished triad, creating a soundscape ripe for exploration beyond conventional major and minor harmonies. This tuning is explicitly noted as "Ideal for F# Locrian," suggesting its strong affinity for scales and modes that leverage its inherent dissonant beauty.

Technically, the open string notes are configured as follows:

• 6th String: F#3 (Root)
• 5th String: A2 (Pitched a major third below F#3, but harmonically a minor third relative to F#)
• 4th String: F#4 (Octave of the Root)
• 3rd String: C4 (Diminished Fifth relative to F#)
• 2nd String: F#5 (Two Octaves above the Root)
• 1st String: A4 (Minor Third relative to F#, one octave above A2)

This arrangement provides a rich, stacked F# diminished chord (F#, A, C) across several octaves, offering a full and ringing quality. The presence of repeated F# and A notes at different octaves adds density and a sense of completeness to the open chord, making it surprisingly full for a diminished harmony.

Chordal Possibilities & Musical Applications

The F#dim tuning naturally lends itself to creating diminished harmony. The open strings themselves form an F#dim chord, and by simply fretting across a single fret, you can easily transpose this diminished chord (e.g., fretting all strings at the 1st fret would yield a Gdim chord). This makes it excellent for:

• Diminished Chords: Rapid exploration of diminished triads and diminished 7th voicings, often used for tension and release.
• Locrian Mode: As suggested by the tuning description, it's perfect for exploring the F# Locrian mode, providing a strong harmonic foundation for its unique intervallic structure and often dark or unstable character.
• Jazz & Classical Music: Experimenting with dissonant harmonies and voice leading found in certain jazz or modern classical contexts, where diminished sounds are often employed.
• Soundtrack & Atmospheric Music: Creating tense, dramatic, or otherworldly soundscapes, perfect for film scoring or ambient pieces.

The tuning description also suggests using a standard capo on the 1st fret and a banjo capo on the highest 4 strings at the 6th fret. These capo placements would further open up new harmonic possibilities, effectively transposing the open tuning and altering the available note range for intricate melodic or chordal work, allowing for even more complex and unique voicings.

How to Tune to F#dim

To achieve the F#dim tuning, you will adjust your guitar strings from standard EADGBe tuning according to the following instructions. Please note that several strings require significant upward tuning, so proceed with caution and consider a lighter string gauge if you plan to keep this tuning for an extended period.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E3 to F#3.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2 to A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 4 semitones from D3 to F#4. Caution: This is a significant tension increase. Consider using a lighter gauge string to prevent potential string breakage or neck stress.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 5 semitones from G3 to C4. Caution: This is a substantial tension increase. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised for optimal playability and safety.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 7 semitones from B3 to F#5. Extreme Caution: This is a very large tension increase (a perfect fifth). Using a much lighter gauge string is highly recommended to prevent breakage and potential neck damage.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 5 semitones from E4 to A4. Caution: This is a substantial tension increase. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised for this string.

Always tune slowly, checking the pitch frequently with a reliable tuner. If you experience excessive tension or unusual sounds from your guitar, stop immediately. For tunings with movements of 4 semitones or more in either direction, a different gauge string is generally recommended to ensure optimal playability, maintain intonation, and most importantly, safeguard your guitar.