My Instincts Are the Enemy

byAmerican Football

Required String Notes:DAEABE

Tune to Custom Tuning (DAEABE)

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

Custom Tuning (DAEABE)

±0

Target: 73.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

D73

A110

E165

A220

B247

E330

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (DAEABE)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “My Instincts Are the Enemy”:

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	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

"My Instincts Are the Enemy" by American Football is played in Custom Tuning (DAEABE) (DAEABE). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 4 up to E, string 3 up to A. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (DAEABE).

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (DAEABE)

Already tuned to DAEABE? These tunings are just one small change away.

Name Alt-Tuning28 songs

D - A - E - A - C# - EOnly string 2 differs: C# instead of B.

Custom Tuning (DADABE)12 songs

DADABEOnly string 4 differs: D instead of E.

Custom Tuning (DAEAAE)3 songs

DAEAAEOnly string 2 differs: A instead of B.

Custom Tuning (C#G#D#G#A#D#)2 songs

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

American Football’s Guitar Tunings

American Football plays 1 of 9 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (DAEABE). Most-used tunings:

Never Meant / Midwest EmoF - A - C - G - C - E4 songs
Custom Tuning (EAC#G#BE)EAC#G#BE1 song
DADAC#E TuningD - A - D - A - C# - E1 song
Custom Tuning (EBD#F#BD#)EBD#F#BD#1 song
Custom Tuning (DAEABE)DAEABE1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (DAEABE)

Strings and tools that make playing "My Instincts Are the Enemy" in Custom Tuning (DAEABE) 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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“My Instincts Are the Enemy” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "My Instincts Are the Enemy" by American Football in?

"My Instincts Are the Enemy" is played in Custom Tuning (DAEABE): DAEABE, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "My Instincts Are the Enemy"?

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). Leave the other strings as they are.