BAGDAD Guitar Tuner
BAGDAD BAGDAD Variation - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
This unique tuning, known as the "BAGDAD variation," is designed for the Guitar and presents a dramatically different sonic landscape compared to standard tuning. As its descriptive name "BAGDAD with tuned down G" suggests, it draws inspiration from deeper, more resonant tunings, offering a rich tapestry of low-end frequencies and distinctive harmonic possibilities.
Verbal Analysis:
- The tuning creates a deep, almost guttural resonance, particularly with the extremely low B1 on the 6th string and the G2 on the 4th string. This makes it ideal for genres like drone, ambient, folk, or any style that benefits from a heavy, sustained sonic foundation.
- When strummed open, the tuning (B-A-G-D-A-D) does not immediately form a simple major or minor chord. Instead, it creates a rich, complex cluster of notes that contains two D's and two A's, providing a strong sense of a D power chord (D-A-D) on the higher strings. The addition of the G2 and the very low B1 introduces tension and depth, hinting at a broader harmonic palette that could easily be rooted in a G major or B minor tonality, depending on melodic and harmonic context.
- The arrangement of perfect fifths (G2-D3 and D3-A3) within the middle strings offers natural resonance and makes two-finger power chords very accessible. This structure allows for easy exploration of modal melodies and open-string drones.
Technical Analysis:
- The open string notes, from low to high, are B1, A2, G2, D3, A3, D4. This is an exceptionally low tuning, extending the instrument's range significantly downwards.
- Comparing it to standard EADGBe tuning, most strings are tuned down:
- The 6th string (normally E2) is dropped by 5 semitones to B1.
- The 5th string (normally A2) remains at A2.
- The 4th string (normally D3) is dropped by a considerable 7 semitones to G2.
- The 3rd string (normally G3) is dropped by 5 semitones to D3.
- The 2nd string (normally B3) is dropped by 2 semitones to A3.
- The 1st string (normally E4) is dropped by 2 semitones to D4.
- The intervals between strings are: perfect 5th (G2-D3), perfect 5th (D3-A3), and perfect 4th (A3-D4). These consonant intervals create a strong, resonant core in the middle and upper strings. The lower strings (B1-A2-G2) present more complex intervals, contributing to the tuning's unique character.
How to Tune Your Guitar to BAGDAD variation (B1 A2 G2 D3 A3 D4)
Please be cautious when adjusting string tension. For string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different gauge string is advisable to ensure string longevity and proper intonation.
- 6th String (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B1.
(Note: A significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.) - 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
- 4th String (D): Tune down 7 semitones from D to G2.
(Note: This is a very substantial drop, almost an octave from standard E. A heavier gauge string is strongly recommended here.) - 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G to D3.
(Note: Another significant drop; a heavier gauge string might be beneficial.) - 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
- 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D4.
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Capos for BAGDAD
Capo | Tuning | Name |
---|---|---|
0 | BAGDAD | BAGDAD Variation |
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -5
- 0
- -7
- -5
- -2
- -2