I Will Wait

byMumford & Sons

Required String Notes:C#G#C#FG#C#

Tune to Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)

Play each string and match the pitch using your microphone. Targets are set to this song’s exact tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#).

Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)

±0

Target: 69.3 Hz

-50WAITING+50

C#69

G#104

C#139

F175

G#208

C#277

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “I Will Wait”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C#2	Tune down 3 semitones
String 5	A2	G#2	Tune down a half step
String 4	D3	C#3	Tune down a half step
String 3	G3	F3	Tune down a whole step
String 2	B3	G#3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 1	E4	C#4	Tune down 3 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons is played in Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#) (C#G#C#FG#C#). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C#, string 5 down to G#, string 4 down to C#, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to G#, string 1 down to C#. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 3 semitones down. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#).

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)

Already tuned to C#G#C#FG#C#? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open D Tuning77 songs

D - A - D - F# - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Open C Major (CGCEGC)19 songs

C - G - C - E - G - CSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Custom Tuning (C#G#C#F#G#C#)6 songs

C#G#C#F#G#C#Only string 3 differs: F# instead of F.

Custom Tuning (D#A#D#GA#D#)4 songs

D#A#D#GA#D#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Mumford & Sons’s Guitar Tunings

Mumford & Sons plays 1 of 3 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#). Most-used tunings:

Open D TuningD - A - D - F# - A - D1 song
Open D Minor / CrossnoteD - A - D - F - A - D1 song
Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)C#G#C#FG#C#1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)

Strings and tools that make playing "I Will Wait" in Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#) easier.

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054)

Recommended gauge .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.

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

View winder

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“I Will Wait” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons in?

"I Will Wait" is played in Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#): C#G#C#FG#C#, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "I Will Wait"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 3 semitones (E2 → C#2). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → G#2). String 4: tune down a half step (D3 → C#3). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down 3 semitones (B3 → G#3). String 1: tune down 3 semitones (E4 → C#4).