Tuning Analysis: Pavement Tuning / Sonic Youth Variation

This unique tuning, known as the Pavement Tuning / Sonic Youth Variation, is an intriguing modification of the classic Pavement DADABE setup. As indicated by its name and historical use, it's a tuning favored by experimental rock pioneers like Thurston Moore for 'Junkie's Promise' and Kim Gordon for 'Karen Revisited,' suggesting its suitability for textural, droning, and avant-garde sounds.

Verbal Analysis

At first encounter, this tuning presents a deeply resonant and somewhat melancholic character, heavily rooted in the key of D. The repeated D-A-D-A pattern across the lower strings creates a powerful, open drone, reminiscent of open D or DADGAD but with a distinct twist. The true uniqueness emerges on the treble side: two unison B strings (B3-B3). This doubling of the B note creates a thick, chorused, or even slightly dissonant shimmer, depending on how perfectly in tune they are. It’s a tuning designed for atmosphere and texture rather than conventional chord progressions, inviting players to explore sustained notes, open string voicings, and unconventional melodic lines. The overall feel is expansive and somewhat untamed, perfect for creating walls of sound or intricate, shimmering arpeggios.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are: D2 A2 D3 A3 B3 B3.

Let's break down the intervals and implications:

• Strings 6-5-4-3 (D2-A2-D3-A3): This forms a robust D5 power chord spanning two octaves (D-A-D-A). This foundation provides immense resonance and a strong harmonic center, making the tuning very sympathetic to the key of D. Simply strumming these four strings yields a powerful, open D power chord.
• String 3 to String 2 (A3 to B3): A Major 2nd interval. This introduces the B note into the D-A harmony, creating a distinct color.
• String 2 to String 1 (B3 to B3):
A perfect unison. This is the most striking feature, offering a thick, almost 12-string-like quality on the higher register. It can be used for ringing drones, harmonized bends, or to create a unique textural 'pad'.

Open Chord Voicings: When strummed open, the full tuning (D-A-D-A-B-B) effectively forms an open D6 chord. The B note acts as the major sixth above the root D. This chord is naturally resonant and full, lending itself to lush, open-string arpeggios or sustained harmonies. Due to the wide intervals and unison B's, traditional chord shapes will be heavily revoiced or rendered impractical, encouraging exploration of new fingerings and shapes that exploit the open strings. Barre chords across certain frets would yield variations of D6 or other related harmonies, but the true magic lies in discovering unique clusters and drones.

How to Tune

To achieve the Pavement Tuning / Sonic Youth Variation from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change to A2 (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change to D3 (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change to B3 (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Caution: Tuning down by 5 semitones is a significant drop. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider using a heavier gauge string for the first string to maintain proper tension and tone.