DABEAD Guitar Tuner

DABEAD Dabead - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Dabead

dabead turkish oudthe turkish oud is a totally different breed of oud with different construction and unique sound. they can be found primarily in turkey and greece.

The "Turkish Oud Guitar Tuning" is a fascinating and unique adaptation for the guitar, drawing its inspiration directly from the rich melodic and harmonic landscapes of the Turkish oud. This tuning immediately transports the player to a world of resonant drones and exotic modal possibilities, offering a distinct voice for folk, world music, or experimental genres. Its generally lower register provides a warm, full-bodied sound that is both evocative and deeply expressive.

Technical Analysis: D-A-B-E-A-D

The tuning's open notes from low to high are D2, A2, B2, E3, A3, D4. This arrangement deviates significantly from standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), creating unique intervals and harmonic structures:

The 6th (D2) and 5th (A2) strings form a perfect fifth, providing a strong, foundational drone.
The interval between the 5th (A2) and 4th (B2) strings is a major second, which is quite unusual and contributes heavily to the tuning's oud-like character.
The 4th (B2), 3rd (E3), 2nd (A3), and 1st (D4) strings form a series of perfect fourths (B-E is a P4, E-A is a P4, A-D is a P4). This consistent interval structure across the higher strings makes for intuitive melodic playing and chord shapes, reminiscent of various world instruments.

Open Chords and Harmonic Possibilities

Played open, the D-A-B-E-A-D tuning creates a rich, complex sonority. The notes (D, A, B, E) combine to form a Dsus2/6 or D6sus2 chord, featuring a D root, A (5th), B (6th), and E (2nd/9th). This chord is open, melancholic, and highly modal, perfect for creating atmospheric soundscapes without needing to fret any notes. The strong D-A-D drone from the 6th, 5th, and 1st strings allows for easy melodic improvisation over a stable tonal center. The consistent perfect fourths on the middle and treble strings simplify the creation of diatonic and modal harmonies, making it easier to discover unique voicings by simply shifting shapes up and down the neck. Power chords and open fifths are readily available on the lower strings, while the higher strings encourage scalar runs and arpeggios typical of oud playing.

How to Tune

To achieve the Turkish Oud Guitar Tuning (D-A-B-E-A-D) from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these steps:

6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
5th String (A): Keep as is; no change from A2 (0 semitones).
4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

All string movements are within recommended ranges for standard string gauges. However, always exercise care when tuning strings, especially when moving them significantly up or down.

6th String (Low E): Tuned to D2, this provides the deep, resonant bass foundation, setting the drone for the entire tuning.

5th String (A): Remaining at A2, this string acts as a stable anchor, forming a perfect fifth with the low D and contributing to the open D sonority.

4th String (D): Tuned down to B2, this string introduces a unique, modal character, diverging from typical guitar intervals and enriching the open chord.

3rd String (G): Tuned down to E3, this string forms a perfect fourth with the B2, contributing to the consistent fourths interval structure in the middle register.

2nd String (B): Tuned down to A3, this string continues the sequence of perfect fourths with the E3, offering intuitive melodic and harmonic possibilities.

1st String (High E): Tuned down to D4, this string completes the octave with the lowest D2, providing brightness and reinforcing the tuning's D-centric drone.