Heart So Heavy
Required String Notes:E - B - E - F# - B - E
Tune to Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)How to Tune from Standard to Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Heart So Heavy”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | E2 | Leave as is |
| String 5 | A2 | B2 | Tune up a whole step |
| String 4 | D3 | E3 | Tune up a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | F#3 | Tune down a half step |
| String 2 | B3 | B3 | Leave as is |
| 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
Rare acoustic cut sharing John Mayer's Esus2 open tuning framework for rich ambient voicings.
Key Chord Voicings:
Esus2 (0-0-0-0-0-0)A/E (0-0-2-2-0-0)
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Tunings Close to Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)
Already tuned to E - B - E - F# - B - E? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open E Tuning20 songs
E - B - E - G# - B - EOnly string 3 differs: G# instead of F#.DADEAD Tuning17 songs
D - A - D - E - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.Open E Minor (Cross-Note) Tuning5 songs
E - B - E - G - B - EOnly string 3 differs: G instead of F#.Custom Tuning (EBD#F#BE)5 songs
EBD#F#BEOnly string 4 differs: D# instead of E.John Mayer’s Guitar Tunings
John Mayer plays 4 of 5 songs in our catalog in Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E). Most-used tunings:
- Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)E - B - E - F# - B - E4 songs
Gear for Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)
Strings and tools that make playing "Heart So Heavy" in Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E) 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.
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.
D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)
Retuning 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“Heart So Heavy” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Heart So Heavy" by John Mayer in?
"Heart So Heavy" is played in Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E): E - B - E - F# - B - E, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Heart So Heavy"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 5: tune up a whole step (A2 → B2). String 4: tune up a whole step (D3 → E3). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → F#3). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Which other John Mayer songs use this tuning?
"In Your Atmosphere", "Something's Missing", "Wherever You Go" — all in E - B - E - F# - B - E, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by John Mayer
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by John Mayer:
Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)Intermediate
E - B - E - F# - B - ENo Capo
Other Songs in Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)
Once tuned to E - B - E - F# - B - E, try playing these tracks next:
Esus2 Tuning (E B E F# B E)Intermediate
E - B - E - F# - B - ENo Capo