Tuning Overview: Ay-Ya-Dae (Extended Baritone DADGAD)

The Ay-Ya-Dae tuning, also known as Extended Baritone DADGAD, is a unique and versatile 7-string guitar tuning developed by Jacob Mitzenmacher. It cleverly extends the popular DADGAD concept to a baritone 7-string instrument, offering both increased range and familiar playability for those accustomed to DADGAD.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning truly expands the sonic palette, providing a significantly wider range than a standard DADGAD setup – a full fourth lower and a whole step higher. It builds upon the "Extended Baritone Standard" and provides a comfortable transition for players who want to utilize the lower register of a 7-string while maintaining the melodic and harmonic possibilities of DADGAD. The designer notes a pleasing symmetry within the tuning. Players might find that some strings, particularly the 3rd string (originally a G string), could benefit from slightly heavier gauges due to a 3-semitone drop, ensuring optimal tension and tone. This tuning was conceived by Jacob Mitzenmacher in October 2020.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of the Ay-Ya-Dae tuning are: A1 E2 A2 D3 E3 A3 E4 (from lowest 7th string to highest 1st string).

• Root and Overall Voicing: The tuning is strongly rooted in A, with A, E, and D notes prominently featured across the strings. The full open tuning creates an extended A suspended 2nd chord (A-D-E), providing a rich, open, and resonant sound ideal for drone-like passages, fingerstyle, and modern compositions. The intervals from low to high are perfect fifth (A1-E2), perfect fourth (E2-A2), perfect fourth (A2-D3), major second (D3-E3), perfect fourth (E3-A3), and perfect fifth (A3-E4).
• Power Chords & Symmetry:
  • Both the lowest two strings (A1 E2) and the highest two strings (A3 E4) form strong open A power chords (A5), creating a consistent foundational harmony across different octaves.
  • The lowest three strings (A1 E2 A2) form a clear A5 power chord (Root-Fifth-Root).
  • The highest three strings (E3 A3 E4) form an E power chord with an open 4th (Esus4). As observed by the tuning's creator, the interval structures for these lowest and highest three-string groupings are inverses of each other (P5-P4 for the low set vs. P4-P5 for the high set), demonstrating an intentional and pleasing design symmetry.
• Chordal Possibilities:
  • The abundance of A and E notes across the tuning ensures that A major, A minor, and E major/minor chords are very accessible with minimal fretting, often incorporating open strings for fuller, more resonant voicings.
  • The D3 string acts as a natural 4th (or 11th) relative to A, making Aadd4 or Asus4 voicings simple to achieve and providing a characteristic DADGAD-like quality.
  • The A-E-A-D-E-A-E open string arrangement lends itself well to sustained drones, modal explorations, and ambient textures. Many traditional DADGAD chord shapes and melodic patterns can be readily adapted to the lower 6 strings (AEADEA) of this tuning, while the extended range of the 7th string (A1) and 1st string (E4) further broadens creative options.
  • The open fifths and fourths across the tuning make it particularly conducive to robust power chords and melodic lines that emphasize strong harmonic foundations, especially useful in heavier genres or for creating expansive soundscapes.

Open String Notes

• 7th String (Lowest): A1
• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: E3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String (Highest): E4

How to Tune (from Standard 7-String Setup)

Please note: A common standard 7-string tuning is typically B E A D G B E (from lowest 7th string to highest 1st string). The following instructions detail the adjustments required from such a standard setup to achieve the Ay-Ya-Dae tuning.

• 7th String (Lowest): Tune down 2 semitones to achieve A1.
• 6th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• 5th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• 4th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• 3rd String: Tune down 3 semitones to achieve E3.

  (Note: This string's original standard pitch would be G. Tuning it down 3 semitones to E might result in a looser feel; a slightly heavier gauge string is advised by the tuning's creator for optimal tension and tone.)

• 2nd String: Tune down 2 semitones to achieve A3.
• 1st String (Highest): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

All individual string adjustments are within a range generally considered safe for standard gauge strings. However, as noted for the 3rd string, personal preference for tension and tone may lead you to experiment with different string gauges. If you experience excessive looseness or buzzing, consider adjusting your string gauges accordingly.