Life in Technicolor II

byColdplay

Required String Notes:EADGC#C#

Tune to Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#)

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

Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#)

±0

Target: 82.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

E82

A110

D147

G196

C#277

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 2 of 6 strings to play “Life in Technicolor II”:

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

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

"Life in Technicolor II" by Coldplay is played in Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#) (EADGC#C#). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 2 of 6 strings: string 2 up to C#, string 1 down to C#. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#).

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Coldplay’s Guitar Tunings

Coldplay plays 1 of 14 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#). Most-used tunings:

Custom Tuning (EADGBC)EADGBC2 songs
C# Standard TuningC# - F# - B - E - G# - C#2 songs
Open E TuningE - B - E - G# - B - E1 song
Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#)EADGC#C#1 song
Custom Tuning (EADF#AE)EADF#AE1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#)

Strings and tools that make playing "Life in Technicolor II" in Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#) 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.

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

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“Life in Technicolor II” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Life in Technicolor II" by Coldplay in?

"Life in Technicolor II" is played in Custom Tuning (EADGC#C#): EADGC#C#, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Life in Technicolor II"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 2: tune up a whole step (B3 → C#4). String 1: tune down 3 semitones (E4 → C#4). Leave the other strings as they are.