I keep my guitars tuned half step flat all the time because I am the lead singer in my cover band and it is easier for me to sing the songs we cover if we lower the pitch by half step.

Making the guitar easier to play by reducing the tension will increase your enjoyment and encourage you to play more and the playing more will help you build strength just as good as playing less with higher tension - with the added benefit of faster progress on learning to play. To see for yourself, try an F major full barre chord on 1st fret with and without a capo and you will see how much easier it is to play cleanly with the capo (even without tuning down). When you are playing half step flat with capo on 1st to be in standard tuning, it gets even easier still to play barre chords closer to the headstock - because the first fret becomes the nut and is closer to the fretboard than the actual nut and therefore makes it easier to push the strings down to the frets. In fact, while you are still in the process of building finger and hand strength, it will actually make it easier to push the strings down to the frets (particularly helpful with barre chords) because the tension of the strings will be less. There is absolutely no problem leaving your guitar tuned a half step flat if you prefer.

You will find that playing guitar will provide countless hours, days, months, years of pleasure and satisfaction. Congratulations on your decision to learn to play such a versatile instrument as guitar.

E flat tuning songs