Silver Rocket Tuning: Sonic Youth's Droning A

This unique tuning, famously utilized by Sonic Youth on their track "Silver Rocket," transforms the guitar into a resonant, almost drone-like instrument, perfectly encapsulating their signature experimental sound. It's not a standard open chord tuning in the traditional sense, but rather a layered approach to an A major chord, offering a rich harmonic foundation.

Technical Analysis: A Layered A Major

The tuning's structure is A2-A2-E3-E3-A3-A3. This creates a powerful A major chord across all six open strings. Specifically, it's an A5 voicing with prominent doubling of the root (A) and the fifth (E) at various octaves. The low two A's (A2) provide a deep, throbbing foundation. The middle E's (E3) add the crucial fifth, giving the chord its major quality and depth. Finally, the higher A's (A3) reinforce the root an octave higher, completing a full, resonant sonic texture. This arrangement fosters a natural sustain and harmonic interplay, ideal for rhythmic strumming, arpeggiation, and ambient soundscapes.

Because of this open A major structure, many common chord shapes will need to be re-imagined. However, it simplifies playing a sustained A major. Fingerings that previously formed chords might now produce clusters or entirely new harmonic textures. Power chords built on A or E will naturally resonate, and single-note lines can be played against the constant drone of the open strings, creating a unique polyphonic effect. Experimenting with two-note voicings or partial chords will yield surprising results within this framework.

How to Tune

Please note that some string movements are significant. When tuning up or down more than 4 semitones, it is generally advised to consider a different string gauge to prevent excessive tension or looseness and potential string breakage, especially when tuning up.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 5 semitones to A2. (Caution: This is a significant upward adjustment; consider a lighter gauge string.)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones to A3. (Caution: This is a significant downward adjustment; consider a heavier gauge string if you wish to maintain tension and avoid excessive floppiness.)

String 6: A2
String 5: A2
String 4: E3
String 3: E3
String 2: A3
String 1: A3