The "Shoegazing Goodness" tuning is a masterclass in creating lush, resonant soundscapes, living up to its evocative name. It’s designed to immerse the listener in a rich tapestry of sound, perfect for atmospheric, layered, and sustained guitar work. When played open, the entire tuning unfolds as a magnificent D major 9th chord, providing an immediate foundation for dreamy textures and expansive sonic washes. This creates a sense of spaciousness and harmonic complexity, encouraging open, ringing chords and melodic lines that blend seamlessly into an ethereal whole, highly characteristic of the shoegaze genre.

From a technical perspective, the tuning is D2-A2-D3-E3-F4#-C5# (from low 6th string to high 1st string). The lowest three strings (D-A-D) form a powerful root and fifth, perfect for solid rhythmic foundations or drones. The inclusion of the major third (F# on the 2nd string), major seventh (C# on the 1st string), and ninth (E on the 3rd string) allows for instant access to sophisticated, full-bodied voicings. This makes it exceptionally easy to play harmonically rich chords with minimal finger movement. Simple barres across all strings can transpose this Dmaj9 shape up the neck, providing an efficient way to explore other major 9th harmonies. The inherent Dmaj9 chord also means that related D-based chords such as D major, Dsus2, and Dmaj7 are readily available with very little effort.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Low E Standard): D2
• String 5 (A Standard): A2
• String 4 (D Standard): D3
• String 3 (G Standard): E3
• String 2 (B Standard): F4#
• String 1 (High E Standard): C5#

How to Tune:

Carefully adjust each string from its standard tuning as follows:

• String 6 (D2): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E note.
• String 5 (A2): Keep this string as is; no change from its standard A note (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D3): Keep this string as is; no change from its standard D note (0 semitones).
• String 3 (E3): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard G note.
• String 2 (F4#): Tune down 5 semitones from its standard B note. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant alteration. For optimal string tension and intonation, considering a different gauge string for this position is highly advisable.
• String 1 (C5#): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard E note. Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate change. Please monitor string tension and intonation carefully.

Always tune carefully and check intonation after making significant changes.