Dylan's Experimental Drop is an unconventional and deeply resonant guitar tuning, famously described by its originator as something they "Saw it on Tik Tok and gave it a try." This adventurous tuning deviates significantly from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, creating a unique sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis:

This tuning immediately presents a dark, weighty, and somewhat mysterious character, primarily due to the dramatic drops in pitch on the lowest two strings. The low E string plummets a full tritone (6 semitones) to A#2, while the A string descends a major third (4 semitones) to F2. This creates an incredibly deep and almost drone-like foundation. The middle D and G strings remain at standard pitch, providing a familiar anchor, but the top B and E strings also dip slightly to A#4 and D4 respectively. The overall impression is one of melancholic beauty, suited for introspective, experimental, or blues-infused compositions that explore unique harmonic textures rather than traditional strumming patterns. It feels less like an open chord and more like a resonant sonic environment waiting to be explored with single notes, arpeggios, and slides.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are A#2 – F2 – D3 – G3 – A#4 – D4 (low to high). Analysing the intervals, we find a complex interplay:

• String 6 (A#2) to String 5 (F2): A perfect fourth (P4) descending (or augmented fifth ascending).
• String 5 (F2) to String 4 (D3): A major sixth (M6) ascending.
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): A perfect fourth (P4) ascending.
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A#4): An octave plus a minor third (m3) ascending.
• String 2 (A#4) to String 1 (D4): A major third (M3) descending.

The combined open strings (A#, F, D, G) create a cluster of notes. If we arrange them from low to high (D, F, G, A#), this configuration does not immediately form a standard major, minor, or dominant chord. It could be interpreted as a D minor triad (D-F) with an added G (a suspended 4th or 11th) and an A# (a flattened 6th or augmented 5th, depending on context). This gives the tuning a distinctly modal or ambiguous harmonic quality. While not an obvious open chord, a barre across any fret will transpose this unique interval structure, allowing for easy exploration of different keys while retaining the tuning's specific feel. For example, a simple two-finger chord could involve fretting string 4 at the 2nd fret (E) and string 3 at the 2nd fret (A), creating an E minor-ish sound against the low A# and F.

How to Tune to Dylan's Experimental Drop

To achieve the Dylan's Experimental Drop tuning, start from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning and adjust each string as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 6 semitones to A#2.
  Caution: Tuning down a full 6 semitones (a tritone) is a significant change in string tension. For optimal playability, tone, and to prevent potential intonation issues, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
  Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones (a major third) is a considerable drop. A heavier gauge string may improve string tension, playability, and intonation for this string.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Always check your guitar's intonation after making significant tuning changes. This will ensure your instrument sounds correct across the fretboard.