GuitarTuningsGuitartunings.

Never Meant / Midwest Emo Guitar Tuner

Never Meant / Midwest Emo
±0
F
Target: 87.3 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
F87
A110
C131
G196
C262
E330

How to Tune to Never Meant / Midwest Emo

The defining tuning of Midwest Emo and math rock. FACGCE creates lush, open major 7th and add9 chord voicings that are central to the genre's shimmering, nostalgic sound. Made famous by American Football's debut album, this tuning has become a cornerstone for emo and indie rock guitarists worldwide.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2F2Tune up a half step
String 5A2A2Leave as is
String 4D3C3Tune down a whole step
String 3G3G3Leave as is
String 2B3C4Tune up a half step
String 1E4E4Leave as is
Printable Never Meant / Midwest Emo chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

American Football's self-titled debut album (1999) was recorded in the band members' college house in Urbana, Illinois. The band broke up shortly after its release, but the album slowly gained a massive cult following over the next decade, largely driven by guitarists sharing tabs for these unique tunings online.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:Light (.010) or Custom Lights (.011) work well. The low E string is tuned up to F (one half step), which adds slight tension. The D string is tuned down to C, and the G stays at G, so overall tension is balanced.

Gear for Never Meant / Midwest Emo

Tools that make tuning to F - A - C - G - C - E easier.

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.

View tuner

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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Never Meant / Midwest EmoIntermediate
F - A - C - G - C - ENo Capo
Song Details
Never Meant / Midwest EmoIntermediate
F - A - C - G - C - ENo Capo
Song Details
Never Meant / Midwest EmoIntermediate
F - A - C - G - C - ENo Capo
Song Details
Never Meant / Midwest EmoIntermediate
F - A - C - G - C - ENo Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a capo?
For "Never Meant" specifically, yes — a capo on the 3rd fret is typically used. However, many other songs in this tuning (including other American Football tracks) are played without a capo. The tuning itself is versatile enough to explore without one.
How to tune to FACGCE?
From standard tuning (EADGBE): tune the low E up a half step to F, keep the A string as-is, tune D down to C (a whole step), keep G as-is, tune B up to C (a half step), and keep the high E as-is. The B→C change is very small and safe for any string gauge.
What chord shapes work in FACGCE?
This tuning excels at creating major 7th, add9, and suspended chord voicings. Simple two-finger shapes produce complex, beautiful chords. For example, fretting the 2nd string at the 4th fret while leaving everything else open gives a gorgeous Fmaj7 sound. Experiment with hammering on and pulling off individual notes over open strings.
How do I play the Never Meant intro?
With a capo on the 3rd fret: the intro uses a tapped/picked arpeggio pattern across the open and lightly fretted strings. The main shape is approximately 0-3-0-4-0-0 with variations. The right hand picks individual strings in a specific sequence rather than strumming. Check the tutorial link below for detailed tablature.
Is FACGCE used in math rock?
Absolutely. FACGCE (and its variations) is one of the most popular tunings in math rock and Midwest emo. Bands like TTNG (formerly This Town Needs Guns), Tiny Moving Parts, and countless others use it or close variations. It's beloved for the way open strings create complex harmonies with minimal fretting.