This unique Guitar tuning, aptly named "DADGAD in Bb/A#", offers a rich, resonant soundscape. It directly transposes the popular DADGAD tuning to the key of A#/Bb, providing a familiar yet distinctly different sonic character. The creator describes it simply as "Basically dadgad but in A#/Bb. It's great."

Verbal Analysis

Much like its DADGAD predecessor, this tuning thrives on open string resonance and drone capabilities. Transposing to A#/Bb (or Bb/A#) generally results in a deeper, darker, and more powerful sound compared to standard DADGAD. This lower pitch can add a significant sense of weight and intensity to your playing, making it excellent for genres like hard rock, metal, or any style benefiting from a fuller, more impactful sound. The inherent suspended quality of the open chord offers a versatile foundation that is neither strictly major nor minor, lending itself well to both melodic and rhythmic exploration without sounding overly definitive. It encourages open voicings and the creative use of harmonics, providing a vast canvas for atmospheric and percussive playing.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning ring out as A#2, F2, A#3, D#4, F3, A#4 (from low E to high E string). These notes collectively form an open A#sus4 (Bb sus4) chord. This is comprised of the root (A#/Bb), perfect fourth (D#/Eb), and perfect fifth (F). The arrangement of these notes across the strings creates a powerful and harmonically rich voicing:

• String 6 (A#2): Root (A#)
• String 5 (F2): Perfect 5th below the 6th string, or a Perfect 5th of the A# root.
• String 4 (A#3): Octave of the 6th string, another Root.
• String 3 (D#4): Perfect 4th above the 4th string (A#3), which is the suspended 4th of the A# root.
• String 2 (F3): Perfect 5th above the 6th string (A#2), another Perfect 5th of the A# root.
• String 1 (A#4): Octave of the 4th string (A#3), another Root.

This arrangement provides a thick, resonant A#sus4 chord in an open position. The prevalence of A# and F notes across octaves offers strong drone possibilities. Similar to DADGAD, this tuning facilitates easy access to power chords by simply fretting the lowest three strings. Barre chords will naturally reflect the A#sus4 structure, allowing for easy movement between different sus4 chord roots. For instance, a basic barre at the 2nd fret would yield a C#sus4 chord (C#, F#, G#) while retaining the open, ringing quality.

How to Tune (from E Standard)

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please proceed with caution and use a reliable tuner. For changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is highly recommended to maintain proper tension and avoid string damage or breakage.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 6 semitones. If starting from E2, this will result in A#2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones. If starting from A2, this will result in F2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones. If starting from D3, this will result in A#2. (Note: The specified target note for this string in the tuning notes is A#3. Please ensure you tune to A#3 if that is your intention, as tuning D3 down 4 semitones yields A#2.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones. If starting from G3, this will result in D#3. (Note: The specified target note for this string in the tuning notes is D#4. Please ensure you tune to D#4 if that is your intention, as tuning G3 down 4 semitones yields D#3.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 6 semitones. If starting from B3, this will result in F3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 6 semitones. If starting from E4, this will result in A#3. (Note: The specified target note for this string in the tuning notes is A#4. Please ensure you tune to A#4 if that is your intention, as tuning E4 down 6 semitones yields A#3.)

String 6: A#2

String 5: F2

String 4: A#3

String 3: D#4

String 2: F3

String 1: A#4