Strum Stick Tuning: Analysis and Guide

The Strum Stick tuning, as its name suggests, draws inspiration from the simplicity and melodic focus of mountain dulcimer-style instruments. While the original description alludes to "DAdd four strings only," this specific adaptation for a standard 6-string guitar expands upon that concept, offering a unique and open sound. It's designed to facilitate easy strumming and diatonic playing, providing a bright, drone-like quality, particularly around the D tonal center.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: D2 A2 D3 D3 B3 E4 (from low E string to high E string). Let's break down the intervals:

• String 6 (D2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 5th (up)
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 4th (up)
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (D3): Unison! This provides a strong, ringing emphasis on the D note, a hallmark of dulcimer tunings.
• String 3 (D3) to String 2 (B3): Major 6th (down) or Minor 3rd (up from B3 to D3). This interval adds a distinct color.
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect 4th (up)

The open strings collectively produce the notes D, A, B, E. When voiced from lowest to highest, this forms a Dsus2(add6) chord (D-E-A-B-D-D). It lacks a major or minor third (F# or F), giving it an open, ambiguous, and modal quality, rich with potential for diatonic melodies and drones.

Open Chords and Playability

This tuning is not a conventional open major or minor chord, but rather a sophisticated suspended chord. Its open sound, with the prominent D notes and the Dsus2(add6) voicing, makes it ideal for:

• Drone-based music: The unison D strings (4th and 3rd) strongly emphasize the root, creating a rich, resonant drone effect.
• Modal playing: The notes D, E, A, B are all within the D Major scale, encouraging melodic exploration in D Major, D Mixolydian, or even D Dorian with minor adjustments.
• Easy Transposition: Simple barre chords will transpose the open Dsus2(add6) shape across the fretboard, allowing for easy key changes (e.g., barring all strings at the 2nd fret yields Esus2(add6)).
• Unique Voicings: Exploring fingerings around the open notes will quickly reveal interesting and non-standard chord voicings, especially for folk, Americana, or experimental genres.

How to Tune

To achieve the Strum Stick tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these steps carefully. Please note the recommendations regarding string gauge for significant changes:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. (Original E2, Movement: -2 semitones)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2. (Original A2, Movement: 0 semitones)
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3. (Original D3, Movement: 0 semitones)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. (Original G3, Movement: -5 semitones) Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch. Tuning a standard gauge string down 5 semitones may result in it becoming very slack, impacting intonation, tone, and feel. For optimal playability and sound, especially if this tuning is used frequently, consider using a heavier gauge string for the 3rd string.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B3. (Original B3, Movement: 0 semitones)
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4. (Original E4, Movement: 0 semitones)

String 6 (Low E to D2): This string is tuned down 2 semitones from the standard E2 to D2.

String 5 (A2): This string remains at standard pitch of A2.

String 4 (D3): This string remains at standard pitch of D3.

String 3 (G3 to D3): This string is tuned down a significant 5 semitones from the standard G3 to D3. Exercise caution when adjusting tension, and for optimal performance, consider a heavier gauge string.

String 2 (B3): This string remains at standard pitch of B3.

String 1 (High E4): This string remains at standard pitch of E4.