ADDGAD Guitar Tuner
ADDGAD Another Dsus - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
This unique Guitar tuning, which the original creator describes as "Another Dsus" and "ran into by accident" for fingerstyle guitar, offers a rich and resonant soundscape. Its open string configuration forms an A7sus4 chord, making it exceptionally versatile for harmonic exploration and melodic playing, particularly suited for styles that benefit from open, ringing notes.
Verbal Analysis:
The tuning features a deep, authoritative A1 in the bass, providing a strong foundation. The presence of multiple D notes (D2, D3, D4) across different octaves creates a full, almost drone-like quality, enhancing resonance and sustain. The G3 adds a distinct suspended fourth character to the D notes and acts as a minor seventh relative to the bass A, giving the tuning a soulful, sometimes melancholic or introspective feel. This specific arrangement encourages fingerstyle players to explore arpeggiated patterns and open voicings, leveraging the natural harmony of the open strings. The "accidental" discovery points to its organic playability and inspirational potential.
Technical Analysis:
From a technical standpoint, this tuning diverges significantly from standard EADGBe. The open string notes are A1 D2 D3 G3 A3 D4. This configuration produces an A7sus4 chord (A-D-G), with the notes repeated across octaves for depth.
- String 6 (Low E) is tuned down a substantial 7 semitones to A1, transforming the lowest register into a powerful sub-bass.
- String 5 (A) is also tuned down 7 semitones to D2, creating a perfect fourth interval with the 6th string.
- Strings 4 (D3) and 3 (G3) remain at their standard tuning positions, acting as a stable core.
- String 2 (B) is tuned down 2 semitones to A3.
- String 1 (High E) is tuned down 2 semitones to D4.
Open Chords and Harmonic Possibilities:
- The open strings naturally form an A7sus4 chord (A-D-G-A-D), which can be easily transposed by barring across any fret. For example, barring at the 2nd fret yields a B7sus4 chord.
- Due to the open D-G-A structure in the middle strings, Dsus4 chords are readily accessible. By fretting string 3 at the 2nd fret to an A, and string 2 at the 3rd fret to C#, you can quickly transition to a D Major chord.
- The repetition of D and A notes provides excellent opportunities for powerful power chords (A5, D5) with minimal effort.
- The low A and D notes are perfect for drone playing, creating a sustained backdrop for melodic improvisations.
- Exploring minor harmonies is also facilitated; for instance, adding a C on the G string (fretted at 5th fret) or on the D string (fretted at 5th fret) allows for easy access to Am or Dm voicings over the open A bass.
This tuning invites experimentation, particularly for fingerstyle arrangements, offering a wide palette of sounds from ethereal to robust, all within a coherent harmonic framework.
Open String Notes:
- 6th String (Low E): Tuned to A1
- 5th String (A): Tuned to D2
- 4th String (D): Tuned to D3
- 3rd String (G): Tuned to G3
- 2nd String (B): Tuned to A3
- 1st String (High E): Tuned to D4
How to Tune:
To achieve the A7sus4 Fingerstyle Open Tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and adjust each string as follows:
- 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
- 5th String (A): Tune down 7 semitones to D2. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
- 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains D3.
- 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
- 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
- 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.
Remember to tune carefully and check intonation after making significant changes to string tension.
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Capos for ADDGAD
Capo | Tuning | Name |
---|---|---|
0 | ADDGAD | Another Dsus |
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -7
- -7
- 0
- 0
- -2
- -2