Tuning Analysis: Quadruple Modal D

The 'Quadruple Modal D' tuning for an 8-string guitar is a rich and versatile setup designed for expansive textural work, arpeggios, and creating a massive drone foundation. As its original creator playfully nicknamed it, "My Two DAD-GADs," it draws inspiration from drone-based instruments like the Tanpura and Sitar, offering a deeply resonant and contemplative soundscape.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is crafted to facilitate a powerful, sustained drone on the note D, which can be simultaneously articulated across eight different strings. The arrangement allows for creating a substantial "single-note drone wall" by fretting specific positions (0-5-0-5-0-7-5-0 from low to high strings) to produce a cohesive D tone. This strong fundamental then serves as an anchor for transitioning into complex chords and intricate melodic passages.

Beyond its drone capabilities, the Quadruple Modal D tuning is also ideal for "five octave tapping." By tapping the twelfth fret on strings 1, 3, 5, and 8, one can effortlessly span five octaves of the D note (from D1 to D5). This arrangement frees up the fretting hand to explore desired positions within various scales, enabling innovative melodic and harmonic exploration across the instrument's extensive range. The inherent modal quality suggested by the note arrangement makes it particularly suitable for ambient, world music, or experimental genres.

Technical Analysis & Chords

The open string notes for this tuning are D1, A1, D2, A2, D3, G3, A3, D4.

Analysing the intervals from the lowest string:

• String 8 (D1) to String 7 (A1): Perfect 5th (D-A)
• String 7 (A1) to String 6 (D2): Perfect 4th (A-D)
• String 6 (D2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 5th (D-A)
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 4th (A-D)
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th (D-G)
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A3): Major 2nd (G-A)
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect 4th (A-D)

This tuning is characterized by a strong emphasis on D and A, creating a powerful D drone or D5 (power chord) sound when played open. The inclusion of G3 on the third string introduces a suspended quality, making the open tuning an extended Dsus4 chord (D-G-A). The D note is present across four octaves (D1, D2, D3, D4) and the A note across three octaves (A1, A2, A3), providing immense harmonic depth and resonance.

Open Chords and Possibilities:

• Open Dsus4: The full open tuning strongly implies a Dsus4 tonality due to the prominent D, A, and G notes. This is excellent for creating ethereal, open, and ambient textures.
• D Power Chord (D5): By omitting or muting the G3 string, a very robust D5 chord can be achieved across multiple octaves, perfect for heavy, driving riffs or powerful harmonic foundations.
• D Major/Minor Chords: While not a standard open major/minor tuning, the presence of D and A across many strings makes D major and D minor chords easily accessible. Fretting the G3 string at the 2nd fret (A) converts the open G to an A, resulting in a full D5 tuning (D A D A D A A D), allowing for easy D major/minor chord shapes by fretting other strings in relation to the D and A. For instance, fretting the G string at the 1st fret (G#) can hint at more complex sonorities like Dmaj7#5sus4.
• Modal Voicings: The unique intervallic structure (with many 4ths and 5ths, but a Major 2nd between G3 and A3) lends itself well to modal playing, particularly D Dorian or D Mixolydian scales, offering unique voicings and harmonic opportunities not found in standard tunings.

How to Tune

To achieve the Quadruple Modal D tuning from a standard 8-string tuning (commonly F# B E A D G B E, from lowest to highest string), follow these steps:

• String 8 (Low F#): Tune down 4 semitones to D1. Caution is advised when tuning down 4 semitones; a different gauge string might be considered for optimal tension.
• String 7 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• String 6 (E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Please be mindful of string tension, especially for the 8th string which is tuned down by 4 semitones. If you frequently use this tuning, a heavier gauge string for the lowest string may be beneficial to maintain proper tension and tone.