Deemer Tuning: A Journey into Diminished Harmony

The Deemer tuning for Guitar presents a highly unique and often dissonant soundscape, diverging significantly from standard tunings. While the provided initial description suggests a consistent minor third interval between strings, a detailed technical analysis of the target notes reveals a much more complex and irregular intervallic structure. This creates a challenging yet rewarding tuning for exploration, particularly suited for experimental genres, ambient textures, or progressive music styles that benefit from tension and unexpected harmonic voicings.

Technical Analysis

The open strings, from low (6th) to high (1st), are tuned to B2-D3-F3-G#4-B3-D4. Let's break down the intervals, moving from the lowest pitched string upwards:

• 6th String (B2) to 5th String (D3): A Minor Third Up.
• 5th String (D3) to 4th String (F3): A Minor Third Up.
• 4th String (F3) to 3rd String (G#4): A very wide interval – an Augmented Second spanning an octave. This creates a significant jump in pitch from F3 to G#4.
• 3rd String (G#4) to 2nd String (B3): A large descending interval – a Minor Third spanning an octave downwards. This is an unusual and striking feature of the tuning.
• 2nd String (B3) to 1st String (D4): A Minor Third Up.

Collectively, the open strings contain the notes B, D, F, and G#. This combination suggests a B diminished triad (B-D-F) with an added G#. The G#, being an augmented fifth from B, introduces a strong dissonance, which can be harnessed for tense, unresolved, or experimental harmonic voicings. The presence of two B notes (B2, B3) and two D notes (D3, D4) across different octaves also allows for resonant drones and rich octave voicings.

Due to its irregular and diminished nature, standard major or minor chord shapes will sound dramatically different or require significant adaptation. This tuning encourages players to explore individual note lines, arpeggios that highlight the unique intervallic structure, and non-traditional dissonant chords. It is particularly well-suited for musical styles seeking unusual textures, atmospheric soundscapes, or a departure from conventional harmony.

How to Tune (from Standard E-A-D-G-B-E)

To achieve the Deemer tuning, adjust your guitar strings from standard E-A-D-G-B-E as follows. Please exercise caution, especially with significant upward tuning, as it increases string tension and can stress your instrument and strings.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 7 semitones to B2. (Caution: Tuning up 7 semitones is a substantial increase in tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent breakage and maintain string integrity.)
• 5th String (A): Tune up 5 semitones to D3. (Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant increase in tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent breakage and maintain string integrity.)
• 4th String (D): Tune up 3 semitones to F3. (Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones should be done with care to avoid string breakage.)
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone to G#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

The open notes for the Deemer tuning are as follows, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string:

• 6th String: B2 (B in the second octave)
• 5th String: D3 (D in the third octave)
• 4th String: F3 (F in the third octave)
• 3rd String: G#4 (G sharp in the fourth octave)
• 2nd String: B3 (B in the third octave)
• 1st String: D4 (D in the fourth octave)