Verbal Analysis: The Sound of Sophistication

This unique tuning transforms your guitar into an instrument of rich, complex harmonies. The open strings immediately present a D minor 6/9 chord, offering a sophisticated and slightly melancholic sonic palette. It's a tuning that encourages deep sonic exploration, perfect for fingerstyle arrangements, ambient soundscapes, or adding a jazzy inflection to folk and blues. The significantly lowered tension on several strings provides a slacker feel, making bends and vibrato particularly expressive, though players may wish to experiment with string gauges for optimal playability and intonation.

Technical Analysis: Unveiling the Dm6/9 Harmony

Starting from standard EADGBe tuning, this configuration leads to the open notes D2-A2-B2-F3-A3-E4. These notes, when stacked from the lowest D, form a full D minor 6/9 chord (D-F-A-B-E). This provides an incredibly rich, resonant harmony even without fretting any notes.

• 6th String (D2): The Root of the D minor 6/9 chord.
• 5th String (A2): The Perfect 5th.
• 4th String (B2): The Major 6th, adding a unique color.
• 3rd String (F3): The Minor 3rd, defining the minor quality.
• 2nd String (A3): Another Perfect 5th, an octave higher, reinforcing the harmonic foundation.
• 1st String (E4): The Major 9th (or Major 2nd), adding a sophisticated extension.

This intricate voicing means that simple barring across any fret can yield a similarly complex chord. For instance, barring all strings at the 5th fret will produce a G minor 6/9. The presence of two A strings (5th and 2nd) provides a strong perfect fifth drone, making it conducive to melodic lines that weave around this central harmony.

How to Tune: Adjusting for Resonance

To achieve this unique sound, you will need to adjust several strings from standard tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2. Caution: A drop of 3 semitones is significant and will result in reduced string tension. You may consider a heavier gauge string for this position to maintain optimal playability and intonation.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

General Recommendation: When tuning strings up or down by more than 4 semitones, it is generally advised to use a different string gauge to prevent excessive tension on the instrument or to improve playability and intonation due to very low tension. While this tuning has a 3-semitone drop on one string, it's still worth noting the general guidance for extreme changes.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned down 2 semitones to D2.

String 5 (A): Remains at A2.

String 4 (D): Tuned down 3 semitones to B2.

String 3 (G): Tuned down 2 semitones to F3.

String 2 (B): Tuned down 2 semitones to A3.

String 1 (High E): Remains at E4.