The First Girl I Loved
Required String Notes:C - F - C - F - A - C
Tune to Open F TuningHow to Tune from Standard to Open F Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “The First Girl I Loved”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | C2 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 5 | A2 | F2 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 4 | D3 | C3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | F3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | C4 | Tune down 4 semitones |
Recommended string gauge: .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"The First Girl I Loved" by Incredible String Band is played in Open F Tuning (C - F - C - F - A - 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 F, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to C. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. 6 other songs in our catalog use Open F Tuning.
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Tunings Close to Open F Tuning
Already tuned to C - F - C - F - A - C? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open G Tuning59 songs
D - G - D - G - B - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.Custom Tuning (C#F#C#F#A#C#)8 songs
C#F#C#F#A#C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.Custom Tuning (CGCFAC)5 songs
CGCFACOnly string 5 differs: G instead of F.Custom Tuning (CFCFGC)2 songs
CFCFGCOnly string 2 differs: G instead of A.Gear for Open F Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "The First Girl I Loved" in Open F Tuning easier.
Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056)
Recommended gauge .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.
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 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“The First Girl I Loved” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "The First Girl I Loved" by Incredible String Band in?
"The First Girl I Loved" is played in Open F Tuning: C - F - C - F - A - C, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "The First Girl I Loved"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down 4 semitones (A2 → F2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down 4 semitones (E4 → C4).
What string gauge should I use for Open F Tuning?
Use a .012–.056 set. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.
Other Songs in Open F Tuning
Once tuned to C - F - C - F - A - C, try playing these tracks next: