Tuning Name: cagdad

Verbal Description

The "cagdad" tuning is an intriguing and deeply resonant open tuning for the guitar, known for its rich, often melancholic, and expansive sonic qualities. As noted in the tuning's description, it is believed to have been used for Beabadoobee's cover of "Milk" by The 1975, suggesting its suitability for atmospheric and emotionally charged pieces. This tuning invites a departure from standard chord shapes, encouraging exploration of drone-like textures and unique harmonic voicings that resonate beautifully. It offers a broad tonal palette, moving from a deep bass C up to a shimmering D, creating an immersive soundscape that is both familiar and unexpectedly complex.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is configured for a Guitar as C2-A2-G2-D3-A3-D4 (low to high, String 6 to String 1). Let's break down its harmonic implications:

• Bass Notes (C2, A2, G2): The lower three strings (6th, 5th, 4th) provide a complex and often ambiguous harmonic foundation. C2 and G2 establish a strong perfect fifth, a stable and resonant interval. The A2 (5th string) inserted between C and G creates an interesting cluster; it could be interpreted as an inverted Cmaj6 (C-G-A) or an Am7b5/C without the E. This immediately suggests a departure from simple major/minor tonalities, leaning towards modal or suspended harmonies, and offering a deep, earthy resonance.
• Treble Notes (D3, A3, D4): The upper three strings (3rd, 2nd, 1st) form a clear and ringing D5 chord (D-A-D). This configuration is common in many open tunings and provides a bright, open, and resonant drone, making it easy to create sustained sounds and full textures with minimal effort.

When played together, the open strings (C-A-G-D-A-D) do not resolve into a simple major or minor triad, but rather a rich, extended harmony. It can be perceived as a Gsus2/C (G-D-A over a C bass) or even a Cmaj9sus4. This inherent ambiguity makes the tuning highly versatile for creating ethereal pads, intricate arpeggios, and percussive rhythms that exploit the open string resonance.

Chords within Reach:

• Open D5 Chord: The D-A-D on strings 4, 2, and 1 provides an immediate D power chord, excellent for powerful drone effects and percussive strumming.
• Suspended and Extended Harmonies: The presence of G (a 4th above D) and A (a 5th above D), along with the A above C, naturally leads to open, suspended, and extended chords with minimal fingering. Barre chords across various frets will often yield rich, full sounds with added 2nds, 4ths, or 6ths.
• DADGAD-like qualities: With the D-A-D on the higher strings, this tuning shares some characteristics with DADGAD, allowing for similar melodic and arpeggiated approaches. However, the unique low C and G add a distinct, darker, and more complex harmonic palette, opening up different melodic and harmonic possibilities.
• Fingerstyle Exploration: This tuning is particularly conducive to fingerstyle playing, allowing for intricate arpeggiations across the open strings and fretted notes to bring out its unique harmonic tension and release, perfect for creating dynamic and layered compositions.

How to Tune to cagdad

To achieve the cagdad tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-e, follow these string movements. Please exercise caution, especially with significant pitch changes, as string tension can be affected.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C2. (Tuning down 3 or 4 semitones should be done with care, ensuring string stability.)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 7 semitones from D to G2. (This is a very significant drop. A different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension, playability, and to prevent damage to the string or instrument.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G to D3. (This is a significant drop. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension, playability, and to prevent damage.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 2 semitones from e to D4.

Always re-check your tuning several times, as string tension changes can affect other strings. For best results with significantly lowered strings, a professional setup or string gauge adjustment may be beneficial.