This captivating tuning, prominently featured by The Tallest Man on Earth on his album "Dark Bird is Home" (notably in tracks like "Darkness of a Dream" and "Fields of our Home"), offers a rich, open, and slightly melancholic soundscape. It's perfectly suited for fingerpicking, creating shimmering arpeggios, and resonant chord voicings that ring beautifully. The blend of open fifths and suspended intervals gives it a distinct folk-indie character, providing a wide canvas for emotive songwriting.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2 A2 B2 E3 A3 E4 (low to high). Analysing the intervals between strings:

• String 6 (D2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 5th
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (B2): Major 2nd
• String 4 (B2) to String 3 (E3): Perfect 4th
• String 3 (E3) to String 2 (A3): Perfect 4th
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect 5th

This unique combination of notes (D, A, B, E) creates a versatile palette. The open strings can be heard as a form of Dsus2/4 or Dadd9(no 3rd), providing a strong D tonic while the B and E add suspended or extended qualities. It also strongly implies an Am7sus4 (A-D-E) or Em7sus4 (E-A-B-D) if the context shifts. The repeated perfect fourths (B-E, E-A) in the middle strings, alongside perfect fifths on the outer strings, make for easy exploration of melodic phrases and open-string drones. Common chord shapes will need to be re-learned, but new, resonant voicings become readily available, particularly those with open D, A, and E string elements.

How to Tune

This tuning primarily involves lowering several strings from standard E Standard tuning (E A D G B E). All adjustments are within a safe range for standard gauge strings, so a dedicated lighter or heavier set is not strictly necessary unless preferred for feel.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

As all tuning changes are within -3 semitones, your current string gauge should be perfectly suitable. However, if you typically use very light strings, be mindful of potential fret buzz on the lowered strings.

String 6: D2

String 5: A2

String 4: B2

String 3: E3

String 2: A3

String 1: E4