Description of Fatse's DADAC#D# Tuning

This unique tuning, reportedly used by 'Fatse' on Twitter, is a highly individual and experimental setup for the guitar. At its core, it features a powerful Open D foundation with the bottom four strings tuned to D-A-D-A. This provides a rich, resonant drone or power chord capability, allowing for expansive soundscapes and easy two-finger chord shapes on the lower register.

However, the higher strings introduce a distinctive and somewhat dissonant character. The 2nd string is tuned to C#5 and the 1st string to D#5. This combination creates a striking melodic and harmonic tension. The C# forms a major seventh against the open D root, while the D# introduces a minor second interval, which is highly chromatic and can evoke feelings of suspense, urgency, or an otherworldly quality. This isn't a tuning for traditional major or minor open chords, but rather for exploring complex harmonies, modal playing, or creating unique textures and arpeggios.

Technical Analysis:

• The tuning starts with a strong Open D power chord foundation: D2 (Root), A2 (Perfect 5th), D3 (Octave), A3 (Perfect 5th / Octave). This offers a robust sonic base.
• The 2nd string, C#5, creates a Major 7th interval with the D root, adding sophistication.
• The 1st string, D#5, is a minor 2nd interval above the D root, resulting in a dense, highly dissonant cluster with the fundamental. It is also a Major 2nd above the C#5.

The overall open chord D-A-D-A-C#-D# is highly dissonant yet potentially very expressive. It can be seen as a Dmaj7 chord with an added minor second (D#), creating a dense, cluster-like voicing. This makes it ideal for ambient, experimental, or heavy music where a sense of tension and release is desired. Barring all strings at any fret will immediately yield interesting, complex chord voicings that retain this characteristic tension. For instance, barring at the 2nd fret would yield E-B-E-B-D#-F, a unique Emaj7(b9) type sound.

Chords and Playability:

• Open String Chord: Playing all six open strings (D-A-D-A-C#-D#) produces a complex, dissonant voicing that can be described as a Dmaj7(add minor second). It's not a traditional consonant chord but offers a rich, tension-filled drone.
• Open D Power/Sus: The bottom four strings (D-A-D-A) form a robust D5 or Dsus2/4 (without a third), making them excellent for powerful riffs, drones, and easy open-string melodic work in the lower register.
• Melodic Possibilities: The high C#5 and D#5 strings are a whole step apart, offering strong melodic potential for expressive bends, slides, and creating shimmering or piercing lead lines over the D-A-D-A foundation.
• Barre Chords: Barring across all strings at any fret will create consistent, unique harmonic clusters, allowing for easy exploration of parallel dissonant chords up and down the neck.

This tuning invites players to think outside conventional chord shapes, encouraging improvisation and exploration of its inherent tensions and resonances.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Fatse's DADAC#D#

To achieve this unique tuning, follow the instructions below. These movements are relative to standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the recommendations for string gauges if movements are significant.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 2 semitones to C#5.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

Important Considerations:

For significant tuning changes (exceeding 4 semitones up or down), it is generally advised to consider a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and prevent potential damage to your instrument. For this tuning, the changes are within a moderate range, so standard string gauges should generally be fine, but always exercise caution when tuning, especially when tuning up multiple semitones, to avoid string breakage.