The Drone Tuning for Guitalele is, as its name suggests and the description hints, a truly unique and "strange tuning with drone notes." It reconfigures the instrument's open strings to create a rich, resonant soundscape, particularly emphasizing sustained low-end notes.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately strikes the ear with its powerful, unison B2 on the two lowest strings, creating a robust and unmistakable drone foundation. This deep, sustained base allows for melodic and harmonic exploration over the top, giving compositions a feeling of being grounded while offering freedom for higher voices. The overall sound leans towards an open, almost modal quality, with a bright and airy feel in the upper register. It's excellent for ambient textures, folk melodies with a modern twist, or any piece where a continuous, resonant bass is desired. The tuning encourages a fingerstyle approach to bring out the distinct voices and the sympathetic resonance between the strings.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: From low to high, the open strings are B2, B2, A3, D4, E4, A4.
• Drone Characteristics: The two lowest strings tuned to an identical B2 provide a foundational unison drone, making the B note exceptionally prominent and resonant throughout the tuning. This creates a natural low-end anchor.
• Harmonic Implications: The open strings (B, A, D, E, A) present an interesting harmonic palette. While not forming a conventional major or minor chord directly, they contain notes from an A major scale (A, B, D, E) and heavily imply an A Major 9 without the 3rd (A - B - D - E) or a Dsus2/B (B - D - E - A). This gives the tuning a bright, open, and somewhat suspended quality.
• Chordal Possibilities:
  • The open strings can be strummed to create a rich, ambiguous sound that naturally resolves well to A major or D major chords when fretted.
  • Due to the open A and E notes, chords like A major or D major will feel very at home and resonant when played. Experiment with shapes that incorporate the open B drone.

How to Tune

Important Note on String Gauge: Several strings require significant upward tension changes. Tuning up 5 or more semitones can put considerable strain on standard strings and the instrument. For strings requiring movements of 5 semitones or more, it is highly recommended to consider using a lighter gauge string to prevent breakage and potential damage to your Guitalele. Please exercise caution and tune slowly.

• String 6 (Lowest): Tune to B2 by going up 7 semitones. (Consider a lighter gauge string)
• String 5 (Low B): Tune to B2 by going up 2 semitones.
• String 4 (A): Tune to A3 by going up 7 semitones. (Consider a lighter gauge string)
• String 3 (D): Tune to D4 by going up 7 semitones. (Consider a lighter gauge string)
• String 2 (E): Tune to E4 by going up 5 semitones. (Consider a lighter gauge string)
• String 1 (Highest A): Tune to A4 by going up 5 semitones. (Consider a lighter gauge string)

String 6: B2

String 5: B2

String 4: A3

String 3: D4

String 2: E4

String 1: A4