Tuning Overview: F# Standard (Virtual Capo II)

This unique tuning, originally described as "Only the capo on the 4 biggest strings" and often found circulating online, effectively transposes the entire standard EADGBe guitar tuning up by two semitones (a whole step). Based on the provided tuning adjustments, this results in an open tuning of F#2 B2 E3 A3 B3 E4, which is precisely what you would achieve by placing a capo on the second fret of a standard-tuned guitar. This offers a wealth of possibilities while still allowing for the intuitive use of normal chord shapes and familiar fingerings.

Verbal Analysis

For guitarists, this tuning is a fantastic way to transpose your playing without needing to relearn your chord shapes or scale patterns. Every chord you know and love in standard tuning will simply sound two semitones higher. For example, an open E major chord shape will now produce an F# major chord, and an A minor shape will become a B minor. This makes it incredibly user-friendly for vocalists who require a song to be in a higher key, or for simply exploring a brighter, more shimmering sonic palette. It's like having a permanent, virtual capo at the second fret, but with the added flexibility of not having a physical capo limiting your neck access or intonation.

The overall feel is bright and uplifting, allowing familiar riffs and melodies to take on a new character. It's a great choice for acoustic fingerstyle, pop, or folk music where a higher pitch or easier key transposition is desired, enabling you to play in keys like F# or B major with open string resonance.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F#2, B2, E3, A3, B3, E4. Analysing the intervals between strings (from lowest to highest):

• 6th String (F#2) to 5th String (B2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• 5th String (B2) to 4th String (E3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• 4th String (E3) to 3rd String (A3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• 3rd String (A3) to 2nd String (B3): Major 2nd (2 semitones)
• 2nd String (B3) to 1st String (E4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)

This interval structure (P4, P4, P4, M2, P4) is identical to standard EADGBe tuning, confirming its role as a transposed standard tuning. This means all standard chord voicings are directly transferable, though their names will be transposed up a whole step.

Accessible Chords (Open Positions): Because this tuning mirrors standard EADGBe at a higher pitch, all standard open chord shapes remain usable:

• Playing a standard 'E Major' shape (022100) will yield an F# Major chord.
• Playing a standard 'A Major' shape (X02220) will yield a B Major chord.
• Playing a standard 'D Major' shape (XX0232) will yield an E Major chord.
• Playing a standard 'G Major' shape (320003) will yield an A Major chord.
• Playing a standard 'C Major' shape (X32010) will yield a D Major chord.
• Similarly, minor shapes will follow suit: an 'E Minor' shape becomes F# Minor, an 'A Minor' shape becomes B Minor, etc.

How to Tune (Starting from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve this F# Standard tuning, you will need to adjust your strings as follows, assuming you start from standard EADGBe tuning. Always tune carefully and in small increments.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E2 to F#2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D3 to E3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones from G3 to A3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E4.

Important Note on String Tension: Tuning up multiple strings can increase overall string tension on your guitar. While the maximum change here is +2 semitones, which is generally considered safe for most standard gauge strings, always proceed with caution. For tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones (up or down) from standard, considering a different string gauge is advisable to maintain optimal playability and string longevity. Regular checks of your guitar's neck relief are recommended with any significant tuning alterations.

6th String: F#2
5th String: B2
4th String: E3
3rd String: A3
2nd String: B3
1st String: E4