Tuning Description: DADADE

DADADE is an intriguing and highly resonant alternate tuning that shares some DNA with the popular DADGAD tuning but takes a unique turn. It creates a deep, open sound with a strong D tonality, perfect for crafting rich drones, Celtic-inspired melodies, or expansive soundscapes. The repetitive D-A-D-A pattern provides a natural foundation for powerful open voicings, while the surprising high E string adds a bright, sometimes ethereal, or even subtly dissonant edge, inviting creative harmonic exploration. This tuning feels open and spacious, lending itself well to fingerstyle, strumming, and slide guitar, offering a big, full sound with an underlying major/sus2 quality, but with the top string providing opportunities for tension and release.

Technical Analysis

This tuning deviates significantly from standard E Standard. The open notes are D2-A2-D3-A3-D4-E4 (from 6th to 1st string). The first five strings (D-A-D-A-D) form a powerful D5 or Dsus2 chord, creating a resonant foundation. Specifically:

• The 5th string (A2) is a perfect fifth above the 6th string (D2).
• The 4th string (D3) is an octave above the 6th string (D2).
• The 3rd string (A3) is an octave above the 5th string (A2) and a perfect fifth above the 4th string (D3).
• The 2nd string (D4) is an octave above the 4th string (D3) and two octaves above the 6th string (D2).
• The 1st string (E4) is a major second (or major ninth) above the 2nd string (D4), introducing a unique tension or brightness to the overall D harmony. This E note is the same as the 1st string in standard tuning, meaning it's a retained element that allows for some familiar melodic patterns on the highest string. The intervals across the strings are: Perfect 5th, Perfect 4th, Perfect 5th, Perfect 4th, Major 2nd. This creates a very consistent and symmetrical feel across the lower strings.

  Open Chords & Potential Voicings

  • Open Tuning Chord: Strumming all open strings yields a Dadd9(sus2) chord (D-A-D-A-D-E), providing a full, rich, and slightly suspended sound. The E adds a beautiful extension, giving it a modern or folk-rock feel.
  • Barre Chords: A single finger barred across the fretboard will produce powerful sus2 chords. For example, barring at the 5th fret gives a Gsus2/add9 (G-D-G-D-G-A) chord, while barring at the 7th fret yields Asus2/add9 (A-E-A-E-A-B). The high E string will transpose to the 1st string, giving a lovely suspended ninth quality.
  • Drones and Harmonies: The multiple D and A strings make it exceptionally easy to create resonant drones, particularly in D major or D minor. Simple two or three-finger chord shapes will naturally fall into place to form D major, D minor, or G and A related chords due to the open D and A notes.
  • Creative Voicings: The interval of a major second between the 2nd (D) and 1st (E) strings provides opportunities for interesting melodic lines and dissonant-yet-beautiful chord voicings, especially when combined with the open D and A notes. It allows for quick shifts between D and E notes, facilitating modal playing around D.

  How to Tune Your Guitar to DADADE

  To achieve the DADADE tuning, you'll adjust your guitar from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). Follow these movements carefully from the thickest string (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

  • 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
  • 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2.
  • 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3.
  • 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
  • 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D4.
  • 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4.

  Important Note: Significant tuning changes, especially those exceeding 4 semitones up or down, may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument. For this DADADE tuning, the 2nd string is tuned up by 3 semitones and the 3rd string by 2 semitones. While these are not extreme, always tune carefully and ensure your guitar can handle the increased tension, particularly on the 2nd string. Regular neck relief checks are recommended with alternate tunings.

Open String Notes

6th String: D2

5th String: A2

4th String: D3

3rd String: A3

2nd String: D4

1st String: E4