The Open D No G (DADxAD) Tuning

This unique tuning for a 6-string guitar, effectively using only five strings by omitting the 3rd (G) string, offers a powerful and resonant soundscape centered around the key of D major. Named 'Open D No G' or 'Power D Five', it transforms your instrument into a versatile tool for blues, folk, rock, and slide playing, providing a distinctive tonal character and simplified chord voicings.

Verbal Analysis:

Imagine a vast, open sound where the notes ring out with a clear, full-bodied D Major chord whenever you strum all the open strings. The omission of the G string isn't just a technical detail; it actively shapes the sound, creating a more focused, sometimes percussive, and less harmonically dense texture. This can be particularly advantageous for players who prefer a clean, driving rhythm without the potential muddiness of an extra string. The lack of a middle G string also means less need for muting, allowing for more aggressive strumming or fingerstyle approaches.

The tuning encourages a 'barre' approach to chords, where simply fretting all five strings at a given fret will yield a major chord in that key (e.g., barring the 2nd fret gives an E Major chord). This makes playing in different keys incredibly intuitive. Furthermore, the low D-A-D arrangement on the bottom three strings is perfect for creating thick, resonant power chords with minimal effort, ideal for heavy riffs or a strong rhythmic foundation. Slide players will find this tuning exceptionally forgiving and expressive, as the open D major triad allows for beautiful, soaring melodies.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning D-A-D-A-D (from lowest to highest available string: D2, A2, D3, A3, D4) is a pure D Major chord across the open strings. The intervals are as follows:

• D2 to A2: Perfect Fifth (P5)
• A2 to D3: Perfect Fourth (P4)
• D3 to A3: Perfect Fifth (P5)
• A3 to D4: Perfect Fourth (P4)

The strategic omission of the G string means that the typical 3rd thinnest string is absent, which changes the typical string numbering from six to five in practice, but on a 6-string guitar it means you'd simply remove the G string or ensure it's muted. This structure ensures that striking all open strings immediately produces a D Major chord (Root-Fifth-Root-Fifth-Root). The absence of the minor third interval (or major third) that a G string typically provides means a more open, uncluttered sound that lends itself well to drone-like textures and simplified harmonic structures. All string movements required to achieve this tuning are within 2 semitones, making it safe for standard string gauges without concern for undue tension or looseness.

Tuning Notes for Open D No G (DADxAD)

This tuning results in the following notes for your five active strings, from the thickest (lowest pitch) to the thinnest (highest pitch):

String 5 (Low E-string equivalent): D2
String 4 (A-string equivalent): A2
String 3 (D-string equivalent): D3
String 2 (B-string equivalent): A3
String 1 (High E-string equivalent): D4

How to Tune Your Guitar to Open D No G (DADxAD)

To achieve the Open D No G tuning from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string. Remember that the 3rd thinest string (G) is omitted or muted for this tuning.

• String 5 (Lowest, formerly Low E): Starting from E2, tune down 2 semitones to reach D2.
• String 4 (A string): Starting from A2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains A2.
• String 3 (D string): Starting from D3, keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains D3.
• String 2 (B string): Starting from B3, tune down 2 semitones to reach A3.
• String 1 (Highest, formerly High E): Starting from E4, tune down 2 semitones to reach D4.