Verbal Analysis

This tuning, aptly named "Drop A + DADGAD," offers a unique sonic landscape, particularly suited for clean and ambient compositions. As the original description suggests, it's designed to evoke "beautiful sounds" that are resonant and open. While it lends itself to intricate melodic work and sustained harmonies, the "Drop A" element on the lowest string also provides a powerful foundation for heavier, chugging riffs, offering a versatile range from ethereal cleans to impactful low-end aggression. It's a tuning that encourages experimentation, blending the expansive nature of open tunings with a heavy anchor.

Technical Analysis

This is a 7-string guitar tuning, where the open strings are set to A1 D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4 (from lowest to highest).

• The tuning effectively combines elements of a low "Drop A" on the 7th string with a modified "DADGAD"-like structure across the higher strings (D-A-D-G-A-D).
• Analyzing the intervals from the lowest A (A1), the tuning presents a rich, suspended tonality:
  • String 7 (A1): Root (1)
  • String 6 (D2): Perfect 4th (4)
  • String 5 (A2): Octave (8va)
  • String 4 (D3): Octave + Perfect 4th (8va + 4)
  • String 3 (G3): Minor 7th (♭7)
  • String 2 (A3): Octave (8va)
  • String 1 (D4): Octave + Perfect 4th (8va + 4)
• The open strings, when strummed together, form an A minor 7 suspended 4 (Am7sus4) chord, specifically voiced as A-D-A-D-G-A-D. This inherent open chord creates a complex, resonant, and often melancholic or dreamy sound without any fretting.
• Alternatively, if viewed with D as a primary tonality, the open strings create a Dsus2/4 chord with a low A pedal tone, offering a similarly open and ambiguous harmony, perfect for ethereal pads or spacious arpeggios.
• The prevalence of A and D notes across multiple octaves ensures a strong, ringing sustain and harmonic richness. This makes it ideal for fingerstyle playing where open string drones can be easily integrated.

• Potential Chords & Voicings:

  • Barre Chords: Due to the repeating intervals (A-D-A-D) and the general open structure, barring across frets will naturally produce movable suspended or power chords, making it easy to shift the inherent harmony up and down the neck. A simple one-finger barre can yield complex, open voicings with a distinct character.
  • Two/Three-Finger Chords: Experimenting with just a couple of fingers can unlock unique minor 7th, suspended 2nd, or suspended 4th voicings in various keys, especially around A and D tonalities, without requiring complex shapes.
  • Drone Notes: The open A1, D2, A2, and D3 strings can serve as powerful drone notes for melodic lines played on higher strings, adding depth and resonance to solos and arpeggios.
  • Power Chords: The lowest A and D strings are tuned down, facilitating easy one-finger or two-finger power chords in the lower register, perfect for heavy riffs. For example, a power chord on the lowest three strings (A-D-A) can be achieved with minimal effort by simply fretting a single note across those strings.
• The tuning invites a non-standard approach to chord shapes, encouraging players to discover new voicings and harmonic possibilities that are challenging to achieve in standard tuning. The open nature lends itself well to techniques like tapping, hammer-ons, and pull-offs to create flowing, resonant passages.

Open String Notes

• String 7: A1
• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: A3
• String 1: D4

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Drop A + DADGAD' tuning from standard 7-string guitar tuning (typically B E A D G B E, low to high), follow these instructions for each string.
Important Note: When tuning strings significantly up or down (generally exceeding 4 semitones in either direction), it is advisable to consider using a different gauge string to prevent potential string breakage or intonation issues. For this specific tuning, none of the individual string movements exceed this range, so standard string gauges should be suitable.

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune to A1. To achieve this, Tune down 2 semitones from its standard B.
• String 6: Tune to D2. To achieve this, Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E.
• String 5: Tune to A2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard A.
• String 4: Tune to D3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard D.
• String 3: Tune to G3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard G.
• String 2: Tune to A3. To achieve this, Tune down 2 semitones from its standard B.
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune to D4. To achieve this, Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E.