The Baritone DADGAD tuning is a deep and resonant adaptation of the popular DADGAD tuning, specifically designed for a baritone guitar or a standard guitar with significantly heavier gauge strings. As its name suggests, it is essentially DADGAD tuned down a perfect fourth from the standard DADGAD, creating a rich, lower register sound with immense sonic depth.

Technically, the open strings are tuned to A-E-A-D-E-A (from low to high). This arrangement provides a powerful and open A suspended 4th chord (A-D-E) across the open strings. The repeated A and E notes (A1-A2-A3 and E2-E3) create a very resonant and harmonically rich sound. The tuning's structure, primarily consisting of octaves and fifths with a suspended fourth (D on the 3rd string), makes it inherently stable and allows for massive, ringing chords and drones. It is particularly well-suited for genres like folk, Celtic, rock, metal, and ambient music where a deep, droning quality and powerful open voicings are desired. Many DADGAD chord shapes can be adapted with a simple shift, and barring across any fret will yield a suspended 4th power chord, making it very intuitive for creating robust, resonant harmonies.

How to Tune Baritone DADGAD

This tuning involves significant adjustments from standard E Standard tuning. Due to the large drops in pitch for all strings, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings if you intend to keep your guitar in this tuning for an extended period. This will help maintain proper string tension, intonation, and prevent strings from feeling overly loose. Tuning down more than 4 semitones can cause standard light or medium gauge strings to become excessively slack, potentially leading to fret buzz and poor tone.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. This is a substantial drop, equivalent to a perfect fifth plus a whole step.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. This is a perfect fourth down.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. This is a perfect fourth down.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. This is a perfect fourth down.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 7 semitones to E3. This is a substantial drop, equivalent to a perfect fifth plus a whole step.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 7 semitones to A3. This is a substantial drop, equivalent to a perfect fifth plus a whole step.