The Sound of Mystical DACGAB Tuning

This unique tuning, which we've named Mystical DACGAB Tuning, is truly exceptional for creating sounds that evoke a sense of mystery, introspection, and depth. As described, it's 'great for mystical or Nick Drake sounding stuff', offering a rich, resonant soundscape perfect for folk, ambient, or cinematic textures.

Verbal Analysis

The overall feel of this tuning is melancholic yet open, with a beautiful drone quality. The lowered strings create a slack, expressive tension that responds well to fingerstyle playing, allowing notes to ring out with extended sustain. It encourages a less conventional approach to chord voicings and melodic lines, guiding the player towards spacious, arpeggiated patterns and evocative harmonic explorations. Think of hushed landscapes, ancient tales, or a contemplative mood.

Technical Analysis

From a technical standpoint, this tuning sets the strings to (low to high): D2 A2 C3 G3 A3 B3. This configuration offers a fascinating harmonic palette:

• Root and Fifth Foundation: The lowest two strings, D2 and A2, provide a strong D power chord foundation (D5), grounding the tuning in a D tonality.
• Minor/Dominant Seventh Flavour: The C3 on the 4th string introduces a minor seventh (or dominant seventh) interval relative to the low D, immediately suggesting a Dm7 or D7 quality.
• Suspended and Open Qualities: The G3 on the 3rd string creates a perfect fourth interval with the D, or a perfect fifth with the C, adding a suspended quality or a subdominant (G major) implication within the D context.
• Drone and Resonance: The open A3 on the 2nd string is an octave higher than the 5th string's A2, significantly enhancing the drone capabilities and overall resonance of the tuning.
• Bright Extension: The highest string, B3, forms a major sixth interval with the low D, adding a touch of brightness or a D6/Dm6 chord extension.

Strumming all open strings together yields a rich, complex sonority. It's not a simple major or minor triad, but rather a sophisticated chord that could be analyzed as a Dm7(add4, add6) or a Dsus4(add6, m7). This inherent complexity is what contributes to its 'mystical' character.

Accessible Chords and Shapes

Due to the unique string intervals, familiar chord shapes will translate into new, often unexpected voicings. However, some open or easily reachable chords include:

• D Minor 7: By utilizing the lowest D, A, and C (Strings 6, 5, 4), you already have the root, fifth, and minor seventh of a Dm7. Fretting the 3rd string at the 2nd fret to F will complete a Dm7 triad (D-A-C-F).
• Open Drones: The doubled A strings and the low D allow for powerful open string drones against which melodic lines can be played, creating a shimmering, sustained sound.
• Implied G Major: The G3, A3, B3 on strings 3, 2, 1 can suggest G major arpeggiations or suspended voicings, especially when combined with the lower D.
• Movable Shapes: Barre chords will yield interesting results, often with extended harmonic content. Experimenting with two or three-finger shapes across non-adjacent strings will unlock unique voicings not found in standard tuning. For example, a simple two-finger shape covering the C3 (4th string) and G3 (3rd string) creates an interesting interval that can be moved up and down the neck.

Tuning Notes and How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Mystical DACGAB Tuning, you will adjust your strings to the following notes:

• String 6 (Low E String): D2
• String 5 (A String): A2
• String 4 (D String): C3
• String 3 (G String): G3
• String 2 (B String): A3
• String 1 (High E String): B3

How to Tune from Standard EADGBe

Please follow these instructions carefully to tune your guitar. Remember to always tune strings down to reach a lower note, then bring them back up to pitch for stability.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2. This is a moderate drop and should be safe for most string gauges.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2. It remains A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3. This is a moderate drop and should be safe for most string gauges.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3. It remains G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3. This is a moderate drop and should be safe for most string gauges.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones from E4 to B3. *Caution:* Tuning a string down by 5 semitones is a significant change. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, a heavier gauge string for your 1st string (High E) is advisable to maintain proper tension and tone.