This tuning, aptly named "Ethereal Open D minor 7," offers a melancholic yet rich soundscape, directly inspired by Ichika Nito's "Ethereal" tuning (DAC#F#C#D) but re-voiced for a darker, more introspective feel. It provides a unique foundation for ambient, progressive, and modern fingerstyle compositions, allowing for lush harmonies and resonant drones.

Technical Analysis

• The open strings themselves form a D minor 7 chord (D-A-C-F-C-D), making this chord effortlessly accessible across the entire instrument. This characteristic allows for easy droning on the root (D), fifth (A), minor seventh (C), and minor third (F).
• The tuning features octaves on the 6th and 1st strings (both D), and repeating C notes on the 4th and 2nd strings, creating a wide, full sound and interesting harmonic possibilities.
• The interval between the 5th (A) and 4th (C) strings is a minor third, and between the 4th (C) and 3rd (F) is a perfect fourth, offering familiar patterns within this altered landscape.
• The overall low range (D2 on the 6th string) provides a deep, resonant foundation, perfect for creating a sense of spaciousness and depth.

Open Chords & Reachable Voicings

• The fundamental D minor 7 chord rings out beautifully with all open strings, providing a rich, full voicing ideal for intros and sustained passages.
• Barre chords become simplified: a single finger across a fret can instantly create a minor 7 chord shape (e.g., barring all strings at the 2nd fret yields an E minor 7).
• Exploring chord shapes that utilize the open strings, particularly the D, A, C, and F notes, will yield compelling voicings and easy access to modal sounds.
• The repeated C notes on the 4th and 2nd strings, and D notes on the 6th and 1st strings, provide strong anchors for developing melodic lines and complex harmonies, allowing for suspended voicings and pedal tones.

How to Tune

• 6th String (E2): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• 4th String (D3): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 3rd String (G3): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B3): Tune up 1 semitones to C4.
• 1st String (E4): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Tuning Note: Always tune carefully and incrementally. While the string movements for this tuning are within a safe range, for tunings requiring movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is often advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage.

6th String: D2

5th String: A2

4th String: C3

3rd String: F3

2nd String: C4

1st String: D4