Tuning Description: Dsus2 add 6

This intriguing guitar tuning, aptly named "Dsus2 add 6," transforms your instrument into a soundscape ideal for folk and atmospheric playing. As noted in its description, it's a unique D modal tuning with an added minor sixth on a lowered top string. Its design, featuring two pairs of major seconds (D-E and A-B), lends itself beautifully to creating "harp-like" effects, a characteristic cherished by folk guitarists seeking rich, open textures.

Verbal Analysis

When strummed open, this tuning immediately presents a bright and resonant Dsus2(add6) chord (D-A-D-E-A-B). The presence of the root (D) and fifth (A) across multiple octaves provides a powerful, grounding bass, while the suspended second (E) and added major sixth (B) on the higher strings add a shimmering, open quality. This creates a very ethereal and expansive sound, particularly suitable for fingerstyle playing where individual notes can ring out. The lower tension across most strings, resulting from the significant down-tuning, contributes to a warm, full-bodied tone and makes string bending feel effortless. The repeating major second intervals (D-E and A-B) across the 4th/3rd and 2nd/1st strings, respectively, make it easy to create melodic runs and arpeggios that have a natural, flowing feel. Chords like D major, Dsus2, D6, and even a G major (by fretting all strings at the 5th fret) are easily accessible and sound particularly full. Open-string voicings are abundant, allowing for complex harmonic textures with minimal fretting.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this guitar tuning are, from lowest to highest:

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: E3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: B3

• 6th (D2) to 5th (A2): Perfect 5th
• 5th (A2) to 4th (D3): Perfect 4th
• 4th (D3) to 3rd (E3): Major 2nd
• 3rd (E3) to 2nd (A3): Perfect 4th
• 2nd (A3) to 1st (B3): Major 2nd

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Dsus2 add 6" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps for each string. Please be mindful of string tension when making large adjustments.

• 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 down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. If you find your string too loose or buzzing, consider using a heavier gauge string for this string to maintain optimal tension and tone.

Generally, for tuning adjustments exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it's advisable to consider a different gauge string to ensure proper playability and string longevity.

6th String (Low E): D2
5th String (A): A2
4th String (D): D3
3rd String (G): E3
2nd String (B): A3
1st String (High E): B3