The 'DMC' tuning, named after its association with Detroit Metal City songs, is a unique and powerful open tuning designed for heavy, resonant sounds. It primarily centers around a D tonality, establishing a deep, thick foundation suitable for drop tunings and driving riffs. The overall voicing D-A-D-A-E-A creates a distinctive Dsus2 or Dadd9 open chord, with the fifth (A) prominently featured across multiple strings. This provides a rich, full sound without the need for complex fingerings, making it ideal for powerful, chunky rhythm guitar work.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar to D2-A2-D3-A3-E3-A3, from lowest to highest string. This configuration is a variant of a Drop D tuning (D-A-D) on the lower strings, providing immediate access to D-based power chords by simply barring the bottom three strings. The perfect fifth intervals on the lowest three strings (D2-A2-D3) make it ideal for heavy riffing. The inclusion of E3 on the second string introduces a sus2/add9 quality to the open chord, giving it a slightly melancholic or open-ended feel while still maintaining its power. The perfect fourth interval between the 3rd (A3) and 2nd (E3) strings, and the 2nd (E3) and 1st (A3) strings (A-E-A), makes it easy to construct power chords or specific arpeggio shapes on these higher strings by fretting across a single fret. The repeated A notes (A2, A3, A3) further enhance the open Dsus2/Dadd9 character and add to the tuning's overall resonance.

Accessible Chords & Shapes

• Open Chord: The open strings D-A-D-A-E-A form a Dsus2(add5) chord, offering a powerful and resonant starting point.
• Power Chords: Easy access to D5 power chords on the lowest three strings (D-A-D). Simply bar these strings at any fret to play power chords across the neck.
• Octave Power Chords: The D-A-D on strings 6-5-4, combined with A-E-A on strings 3-2-1, allows for interesting voicings and octave power chord shapes.
• Sus2/Add9 Voicings: The inherent Dsus2 quality means that chords based on this shape will sound natural and full.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'DMC' tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these precise steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 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.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 7 semitones to E3. *Caution: Tuning this string down 7 semitones is a significant change. A lighter gauge string may be advisable to maintain proper tension and tone.*
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 7 semitones to A3. *Caution: Tuning this string down 7 semitones is a significant change. A lighter gauge string may be advisable to maintain proper tension and tone.*

Please ensure your guitar's intonation is checked after making significant tuning changes.

6th String: D2 (Low D)

5th String: A2 (A)

4th String: D3 (D)

3rd String: A3 (A)

2nd String: E3 (E)

1st String: A3 (High A)