The AADGAD tuning, notably utilized by the legendary band Neurosis in tracks like "Under the Surface," is a profoundly heavy and atmospheric guitar tuning designed to deliver immense sonic depth and a brooding, expansive soundscape.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately strikes a listener with its sheer weight and resonance, thanks to the double low A strings. It's a prime example of how dropping the lowest string significantly can transform a guitar's character, pushing it into bass-like territories while retaining harmonic richness. The name AADGAD itself hints at the dual A's at the foundation, suggesting a powerful, droning quality. The presence of the D-G-A-D pattern across the upper strings provides a mix of open intervals that lend themselves to dark, suspended, and often dissonant voicings, which is characteristic of the sludge and post-metal genres where this tuning thrives. It's a tuning that encourages open-string riffs, massive power chords, and intricate melodic lines that can cut through a dense wall of sound. The low A allows for incredibly heavy palm-muting and chugging, while the open D-G-A-D on the higher strings offer a canvas for expressive, ringing arpeggios and sustained chords.

Technical Analysis

AADGAD is a variant of drop tuning, rooted in A. From standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, the modifications are substantial:

• The 6th string (low E) is dropped a significant 7 semitones down to A1, creating a very deep, resonant low end.
• The 5th string (A), 4th string (D), and 3rd string (G) remain at their standard pitches of A2, D3, and G3 respectively.
• The 2nd string (B) is dropped 2 semitones to A3.
• The 1st string (high E) is dropped 2 semitones to D4.

This configuration results in the open string notes A1-A2-D3-G3-A3-D4. The open strings themselves form an interesting harmonic landscape. The notes present are A, D, G. If we consider A as the root, the open tuning offers an A(no 3rd) chord with a suspended 4th (D) and a minor 7th (G). More practically, the open D-G-A-D strings (strings 4 to 1) form a Dsus2 chord, which can be played over the powerful low A root. This open configuration allows for powerful, ringing open chords, especially Dsus2/A. The arrangement of the two lowest strings (A1, A2) and the two highest strings (A3, D4) facilitates easy octave-playing and vast, open-voice chords. Furthermore, the two D strings (D3, D4) make it convenient to play massive D power chords and drones. Power chords become particularly accessible across the lower strings due to the parallel A and D strings. For example, a two-finger shape on strings 6 and 5 (fret 0) yields a huge open A chord, and similar shapes can be shifted up the neck for robust power chords.

How to Tune Your Guitar for AADGAD

To achieve the AADGAD tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones. This brings your lowest E string all the way down to A1. Given this significant drop (exceeding 4 semitones), it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string for optimal tension, intonation, and tone.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones. Adjust your B string down to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones. Adjust your high E string down to D4.

Always tune carefully, especially when making large adjustments, and consider restringing with a suitable gauge set for tunings that involve significant drops.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to A1
String 5 (A): Tuned to A2
String 4 (D): Tuned to D3
String 3 (G): Tuned to G3
String 2 (B): Tuned to A3
String 1 (High E): Tuned to D4