The A#/D Dissonance Drop is an extraordinarily low and experimental tuning for the guitar, pushing the boundaries of conventional tonality. It's designed for players seeking a deep, brooding, and often dissonant soundscape, perfectly suited for genres like extreme metal, avant-garde, or experimental rock. The unusual arrangement of notes, particularly the extremely low fifth string (D2) sitting below the sixth string (A#2), creates a unique sonic texture that prioritizes impact and atmosphere over traditional harmonic structures. This tuning encourages exploration of single-note riffs, complex two-note voicings, and heavy, sustained drones, rather than open chord strumming.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to a unique and deeply resonant combination of A#2, D2, A#3, D#4, G3, and C4, from the 6th (lowest) string to the 1st (highest) string.

• Open Notes (Low to High - String Order): A#2, D2, A#3, D#4, G3, C4
• Lowest Pitch: D2 (on the 5th string), establishing an incredibly low fundamental that sits below the 6th string.
• Intervals Relative to D2 (Lowest Pitch):
  • String 5 (D2): Root
  • String 6 (A#2): Augmented 4th (or Diminished 5th) above D2
  • String 2 (G3): Compound Perfect 4th (P4 + Octave) above D2
  • String 4 (A#3): Compound Augmented 4th above D2
  • String 1 (C4): Compound Minor 7th (m7 + Octave) above D2
  • String 3 (D#4): Compound Minor 2nd (m2 + Two Octaves) above D2
• The presence of both A# and D# (enharmonically Eb) alongside D and C creates a highly chromatic and dissonant set of open intervals, departing significantly from traditional Western harmony.

Open Chords & Voicings

The open strings themselves (A#2, D2, A#3, D#4, G3, C4) do not immediately form a conventional, consonant chord. This tuning is not designed for traditional open strumming but rather for specific voicings and textural exploration.

• The 6th string (A#2) and 4th string (A#3) are an octave apart, providing a powerful and resonant root-octave pairing for A# that can serve as a foundation for heavy riffs.
• The extreme low register of D2 on the 5th string offers a dark, resonant pedal tone, allowing for sonic contrast when combined with the A# on the 6th string.
• Power chords across the lowest two strings (6th and 5th) are not standard root-5th shapes due to the Major 3rd interval (A# to D). This requires adapted fingerings or focus on single-string riffs.
• The tuning naturally lends itself to heavy, single-note lines, or two- and three-note clusters that leverage the unique open intervals for industrial, atmospheric, or extremely heavy sounds. Experimentation with suspended chords, dissonant intervals, and unconventional arpeggios will be key to unlocking its potential.

How to Tune

To achieve the A#/D Dissonance Drop tuning, follow these steps from standard E Standard tuning:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 6 semitones from E to A#2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 7 semitones from A to D2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones from D to A#3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones from G to D#4.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B to G3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C4.

Important Note: All strings in this tuning are significantly dropped (4 or more semitones). The 5th string is dropped a full 7 semitones, and the 6th string by 6 semitones. For such extreme downward tuning, especially on the lower strings, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set to maintain appropriate string tension, prevent excessive floppiness, and ensure optimal playability and intonation. This will also help prevent potential damage to your guitar's neck or bridge from drastically reduced tension.

String 6: Tuned to A#2 (Bb2), a very low note, providing a dark and heavy foundation.

String 5: Tuned to D2, this is the absolute lowest pitch in this tuning, offering a deep, resonant rumble and an unusual interval relationship with the 6th string.

String 4: Tuned to A#3 (Bb3), an octave higher than the 6th string, which allows for rich, octave-driven voicings.

String 3: Tuned to D#4 (Eb4), adding a distinct, often dissonant, or darkly melancholic flavour to the open tuning.

String 2: Tuned to G3, providing a more central tonal anchor amidst the lower, more dissonant notes.

String 1: Tuned to C4, the highest note, completing the unusual and challenging open string voicing.