The Screaming Dead Tuning

Prepare for a sonic journey into the depths with the AADEAD tuning, affectionately dubbed "The Screaming Dead Tuning." As its original description hints with a resounding "AAH IM DEAD" and its suitability for Halloween songs, this tuning is designed to evoke a heavy, eerie, and powerful atmosphere. It's a perfect choice for genres that thrive on rich drones, low-end power, and a sense of impending doom, such as metal, doom metal, drone, and experimental rock.

Technical Analysis

This tuning centers heavily around the note A, providing a deep, resonant foundation. The open strings are tuned to A1-A2-D3-E3-A3-D4 (from low E to high E string). This arrangement creates an Aadd4 (A, D, E) voicing across the lower strings, with multiple octaves of A and D adding significant depth and density.

The intervals are particularly interesting:

• The lowest A (A1) provides a colossal root, a full octave below standard A2.
• The 5th string is also an A (A2), an octave above the 6th string, reinforcing the root with a powerful drone.
• The 4th string is a D (D3), a perfect fourth above the 5th string's A.
• The 3rd string is an E (E3), a perfect fifth above the 5th string's A, and a major second above the 4th string's D.
• The 2nd string is an A (A3), an octave above the 5th string's A and a perfect fourth above the 3rd string's E.
• The 1st string is a D (D4), a perfect fourth above the 2nd string's A.

The open tuning itself forms a robust Aadd4 voicing, offering a full, resonant sound when strummed open. This strong A foundation with the suspended fourth (D) creates a unique blend of stability and tension. Power chords are incredibly accessible and potent, especially on the lower strings, and barring across the fretboard will yield powerful, harmonically rich voicings. The massive drop to A1 on the 6th string provides a rumbling, sub-octave quality that dramatically enhances its heavy character, making it ideal for deep, chugging riffs and ominous soundscapes. The multiple A and D notes make for a very 'open' and resonant feel, where sustained notes ring out with great presence.

How to Tune

To achieve the AADEAD tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. Caution: This is a significant drop of more than 4 semitones. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Always tune carefully, using a reliable tuner, and check intonation after making significant changes to your guitar's tuning to ensure optimal playability.

String 6 (Low E): A1

String 5 (A): A2

String 4 (D): D3

String 3 (G): E3

String 2 (B): A3

String 1 (High E): D4