The Slacker/Pavement tuning, as its name suggests, is deeply rooted in the distinctive sound of bands like Pavement. This particular tuning, DADABE, is one of the "pretty simple alterations of standard tuning" that Stephen Malkmus of Pavement relied on for their early material, embodying the raw, innovative spirit of slacker rock.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning offers a unique sonic landscape, departing from standard tuning with minimal yet impactful changes. The lower strings establish a strong D-based drone, reminiscent of Open D or Drop D, providing a solid foundation for rich, resonant chords. The altered G string, tuned up to A, combined with the standard B and high E strings, introduces intriguing harmonic possibilities. It creates a sense of openness and sustain, ideal for rhythmic strumming or crafting melancholic, jangly melodies characteristic of Pavement's sound. The name "Slacker" perfectly captures its feel: unpolished, yet deeply expressive and full of character.

Technical Analysis

The tuning DADABE (Low to High) technically presents the following open notes:

• 6th String (Low E): Tuned down a whole step to D2.
• 5th String (A): Remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tuned up a whole step to A3.
• 2nd String (B): Remains B3.
• 1st String (High E): Remains E4.

The open strings D-A-D-A-B-E create a Dsus2add6 voicing. More specifically, arranging the unique notes from lowest to highest, we have D, A, B, E. This isn't a simple major or minor chord, but rather a rich, extended voicing that leans towards a Dsus2 (D, E, A) with an added major sixth (B). The duplicated D and A notes provide a strong fundamental and fifth, giving it a powerful, resonant drone quality. Due to the wide intervals and common notes, it makes many open-string drones and arpeggios sound particularly lush and harmonically complex.

While not an immediate open major or minor chord, this tuning facilitates:

• Drones and Riffs: The low DAD string group is excellent for heavy, droning riffs, similar to Drop D but with the A string in place.
• Suspending Chords: The open D and A notes allow for easily creating suspended chords by fretting notes on the higher strings.
• Chord Voicings: Simple two-finger shapes or partial barres can yield interesting, often dissonant or ethereal voicings. For example, barring all strings at the 2nd fret would produce E-B-E-B-C#-F#, essentially an E chord with an added C#. A barre at the 5th fret yields G-D-G-D-E-A, a Gsus2.
• Melodic Play: The distinct intervals between the higher strings (A-B-E) can inspire unique melodic lines over the droning lower D notes.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. This is a moderate drop, but generally safe for standard string gauges.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3. Tuning up 2 semitones is a significant increase in tension. While often manageable, exercise caution and consider a lighter gauge string if you plan to use this tuning frequently or feel excessive tension.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

Below are the specific notes for each string in this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: A3
• 2nd String: B3
• 1st String: E4