Always Focused

Required String Notes:D - A - E - A - C# - E

How to Tune from Standard to Name Alt-Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Always Focused”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	D2	Tune down a whole step
String 5	A2	A2	Leave as is
String 4	D3	E3	Tune up a whole step
String 3	G3	A3	Tune up a whole step
String 2	B3	C#4	Tune up a whole step
String 1	E4	E4	Leave as is

Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Always Focused" by Tiny Moving Parts is played in Name Alt-Tuning (D - A - E - A - C# - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 4 up to E, string 3 up to A, string 2 up to C#. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. Tiny Moving Parts uses this same tuning on 6 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Name Alt-Tuning

Already tuned to D - A - E - A - C# - E? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open A Tuning20 songs

E - A - E - A - C# - EOnly string 6 differs: E instead of D.

DADAC#E Tuning17 songs

D - A - D - A - C# - EOnly string 4 differs: D instead of E.

Custom Tuning (C#G#D#G#CD#)12 songs

C#G#D#G#CD#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Custom Tuning (DAEABE)4 songs

DAEABEOnly string 2 differs: B instead of C#.

Tiny Moving Parts’s Guitar Tunings

Tiny Moving Parts plays 7 of 15 songs in our catalog in Name Alt-Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Name Alt-TuningD - A - E - A - C# - E7 songs
Drop Db / Drop C#Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb2 songs
Custom Tuning (C#G#D#G#CD#)C#G#D#G#CD#1 song
Open G TuningD - G - D - G - B - D1 song
Drop D TuningD - A - D - G - B - E1 song

Gear for Name Alt-Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Always Focused" in Name Alt-Tuning easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)

Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

View strings

D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“Always Focused” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Always Focused" by Tiny Moving Parts in?

"Always Focused" is played in Name Alt-Tuning: D - A - E - A - C# - E, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Always Focused"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 4: tune up a whole step (D3 → E3). String 3: tune up a whole step (G3 → A3). String 2: tune up a whole step (B3 → C#4). Leave the other strings as they are.

What string gauge should I use for Name Alt-Tuning?

Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

Which other Tiny Moving Parts songs use this tuning?

"Boxcar", "Caution", "Clouds Above My Head", "Dakota", "Happy Birthday", "Sundress" — all in D - A - E - A - C# - E, so you can play them without retuning.