Tuning Overview: Deep Drake Open Dsus4

This unique 7-string guitar tuning, internally referred to as "7 String DGDGAD with low A", is a creative adaptation of Nick Drake's resonant acoustic tunings. By extending the concept to a 7-string instrument and introducing a low A, it plunges the guitar into a profoundly deep and atmospheric soundscape. It moves far beyond standard tunings, offering a rich, droning quality perfect for intricate fingerstyle, ambient textures, and melancholic compositions.

Verbal Analysis

The 'Deep Drake Open Dsus4' tuning creates an expansive sonic canvas, characterized by its deep bass and intricate intervallic relationships. The open strings resolve to A1-D2-G2-D3-G3-A3-D4. This arrangement provides a natural Dsus4 (D-G-A) or Gsus2 (G-A-D) tonality across the instrument, heavily emphasizing the notes A, D, and G. The doubled notes (two A's, two D's, two G's) spread across multiple octaves, generating a rich, sustained drone that resonates beautifully. The inclusion of the low A1 establishes a strong, foundational bass, reminiscent of a drop tuning but with even more sonic weight due to the additional string. This tuning invites exploration of open chords and drone-based harmonies, making it ideal for expressive, often introspective, musical narratives.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is designed for a 7-string guitar, where the standard tuning (typically B1-E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4) has been significantly altered. The resulting open notes are A1-D2-G2-D3-G3-A3-D4. Let's break down the intervals from the lowest string:

• String 7 (A1) to String 6 (D2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 6 (D2) to String 5 (G2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A3): Major 2nd (2 semitones)
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)

This non-symmetrical intervallic structure contributes to its unique character. The core D-G-D-G-A-D sequence (strings 6-1, ignoring the lowest A) forms a Dsus4 chord with an added A (or Gsus2 with an added D), providing a rich harmonic base. The open strings themselves form a complex chord rich in fourths and fifths, often referred to as a power chord or suspended chord voicing. A simple strum of all open strings produces a full, resonant Dsus4 or Gsus2 sound, depending on the tonal center you emphasize. Chords are also easily formed by barring frets across the instrument. For example, barring all strings at the 5th fret yields a vibrant Gsus4 chord (D2-G2-C3-G3-C4-D4-G4). Exploring two- and three-finger voicings on the higher strings will unveil unique harmonies and melodic possibilities.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Deep Drake Open Dsus4' tuning from standard 7-string tuning (B1-E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these steps:

• String 7 (Low B): Tune down 2 semitones from B1 to A1.
• String 6 (E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

Note on String Gauge: All string movements in this tuning are within 2 semitones down. This generally falls within a safe range for standard string gauges. However, for extreme tuning changes (exceeding 4 semitones up or down), a different string gauge is usually advised to maintain proper tension and intonation.

• String 7 (Low A1): This is the deepest note, anchoring the tuning with a profound, resonant bass.
• String 6 (D2): A full D an octave below the standard D string, providing a strong D tonality.
• String 5 (G2): A rich G note, contributing to the tuning's suspended quality and harmonic depth.
• String 4 (D3): The middle D, an octave above D2, reinforces the D drone.
• String 3 (G3): An octave above G2, this G provides harmonic support and contributes to the Dsus4/Gsus2 character.
• String 2 (A3): This A is a perfect fourth above D3, and creates an evocative major second interval with the G3 below it, lending a unique melodic color.
• String 1 (D4): The highest note, completing the D-G-D-G-A-D sequence and providing a bright, clear top end.