The A Abstract Drone tuning is a highly experimental and unconventional setup for the guitar, designed to challenge traditional melodic and harmonic expectations. With a broad range of notes spread across several octaves and notable dissonances, this tuning is perfectly suited for artists looking to explore ambient soundscapes, drone music, or avant-garde compositions. It encourages a departure from standard chord shapes, prompting players to discover unique voicings and textures that might not be possible in more conventional tunings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning features the following open notes from thickest to thinnest string: A1, G#3, D3, D#4, G#4, B3. The lowest note is a deep A1 on the 6th string, providing a strong, resonant foundation. However, the most striking aspect is the highly irregular octave placement and the presence of closely voiced dissonances. For instance, the 5th string (G#3) is two octaves higher than the 6th string's A1, and then the 4th string (D3) drops significantly in pitch. The unique pitch set across all strings consists of A, B, D, D#, G#.

The proximity of D3 and D#4 across adjacent strings (String 4 and String 3) creates a strong minor second interval, a hallmark of dissonance that can be used for tension, chromaticism, or atmospheric effects. Other notable intervals include the major seventh between A and G#, and the tritone (augmented fourth) between A and D#. The open strings themselves form a complex, non-chordal cluster, making traditional major or minor chords difficult to achieve without careful fretting. Instead, this tuning suggests an approach focused on individual note voicings, drones, and arpeggiated figures that exploit the wide intervallic jumps and the inherent tension. Simplified chords or power chords might be challenging to voice cleanly due to the irregular string intervals. However, the open tuning offers unique opportunities for creating rich, sustained drones, particularly around the A and G# notes, which appear at different octaves, lending itself well to atmospheric or cinematic sound design.

• String 6 (A1): Tuned to a very deep A1, this string provides a low, resonant anchor for the entire tuning.
• String 5 (G#3): An unexpected leap two octaves above the 6th string's A, this G#3 adds a bright, distinct voice, creating a wide, open interval and contributing to the tuning's unique sonic texture.
• String 4 (D3): Lower in pitch than String 5, this D3 offers a foundational note that establishes a dissonant minor second relationship with the D# on String 3, central to the tuning's tension.
• String 3 (D#4): The highest D note in this tuning, D#4 creates a sharp, chromatic tension when played alongside the D3, forming a tritone with the open A string, perfect for dramatic effects.
• String 2 (G#4): An octave higher than the G#3 on String 5, this note reinforces the G# presence, contributing to the drone-like qualities and adding harmonic richness.
• String 1 (B3): A mid-range B3, this string fills out the upper register with a note that can add further color and complexity to the overall sound, balancing the extreme low and high pitches.

How to Tune

To achieve the A Abstract Drone tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps carefully. Please note the significant string movements, especially for the 6th and 1st strings, where different string gauges might be recommended for optimal tension and safety.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. (Note: Tuning down this far may require a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and playability.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 1 semitones to G#3.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones to G#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. (Note: Tuning down this far may require a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and playability.)