Tuning Overview

The PreCapo Drop DG tuning is a fascinating and specialized setup for the guitar, primarily designed to facilitate the playing of pieces written for DGDGBE tuning, but with the intention of using a capo on the 1st fret. As its name suggests, this tuning prepares your guitar to effectively sound like DGDGBE when a capo is applied to the first fret, making it incredibly useful for specific ragtime pieces like Ragtime Passion's "Maple Leaf Rag." When played open (without a capo), it presents a unique sonic landscape, offering a resonant, slightly melancholic, and expansive sound that can also find application in blues, folk, or alternative styles. The significant drops in pitch, particularly on the lower strings, contribute to a slacker feel and a deeper, more percussive tone.

Technical Analysis

This tuning shifts the entire target DGDGBE structure down by one semitone across all strings. Starting from standard EADGBe tuning, the string notes are:

• 6th String (Low E): Tuned down 3 semitones from E2 to C3#
• 5th String (A): Tuned down 3 semitones from A2 to F3#
• 4th String (D): Tuned down 1 semitone from D3 to C4#
• 3rd String (G): Tuned down 1 semitone from G3 to F4#
• 2nd String (B): Tuned down 1 semitone from B3 to A4#
• 1st String (High E): Tuned down 1 semitone from E4 to D5#

The resulting open tuning is C#3 F#3 C#4 F#4 A#4 D#5. When examined, the intervals from the lowest C# are: Root (C#), Perfect 4th (F#), Octave (C#), Perfect 4th (F#), Major 6th (A#), Major 9th (D#). This complex intervallic structure lays the groundwork for its distinct sound and playability.

Open Chord Analysis & Playability

Without a capo, the open strings of C# F# C# F# A# D# form a rich, extended chord. This can be technically described as a C#sus4(add2)(add6) or C#sus2sus4add6 chord (containing the notes C#, D#, F#, A#). The repeated C# and F# notes provide a strong, resonant drone effect, giving the open strum a full and atmospheric quality, ideal for intricate fingerpicking or creating expansive soundscapes.

Crucially, when a capo is placed on the 1st fret, the tuning effectively becomes D G D G B E. In this 'capoed' state, the open strings form a Dadd4add9 chord (D, G, B, E), a very common and versatile open tuning. This configuration is widely beloved for its suitability for slide guitar, blues, folk, and ragtime music. The doubled D and G notes create a powerful, resonant foundation, making it easy to form rich, full-bodied chords with minimal effort, often by simply barring across frets. This also facilitates fingerstyle arrangements, allowing for strong bass lines to be played simultaneously with melodic figures.

The consistent interval pattern on the lower strings (Root, 4th, Octave, 4th) when capoed in DGDGBE, or even in the base C#F#C#F#A#D# tuning, makes it intuitive for playing power chords and establishing drones. Many common blues and ragtime licks and chord shapes designed for DGDGBE will translate directly to this tuning (either in the original key with a capo on 1, or one semitone lower without the capo).

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C3#.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones from A to F3#.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D to C4#.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F4#.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone from B to A4#.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone from E to D5#.

String Gauge Recommendation: The largest drops in this tuning are 3 semitones for the 6th and 5th strings. While these falls just within the typical range before a string gauge change becomes essential, such drops significantly reduce string tension. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, or if you notice excessive string looseness impacting your playability, considering a slightly heavier gauge for your lowest strings (especially 6 and 5) could greatly improve tuning stability, intonation, and overall tone. Generally, tuning up or down by more than 4 semitones often benefits from a specialized string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent issues like string breakage or excessive floppiness.

String 6 (Low E): C3#

String 5 (A): F3#

String 4 (D): C4#

String 3 (G): F4#

String 2 (B): A4#

String 1 (High E): D5#