Verbal Analysis:

The Opeth Tuning, famously featured in their song "Reverie/Harlequin Forest," is a dark and intricate tuning that immediately sets a progressive and often melancholic mood. It departs significantly from standard tuning, creating a rich harmonic landscape ideal for the complex, heavy, yet melodic sound Opeth is known for. The low D provides a solid foundation for crushing riffs, while the upper strings offer unique intervals that invite sophisticated chord voicings and lead lines.

This tuning lends itself particularly well to progressive metal and atmospheric rock, allowing for deep, resonant open chords and creating opportunities for dissonant or ethereal textures. It feels expansive and powerful, perfect for crafting epic soundscapes that blend aggression with beauty.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning establishes an open D minor 9th chord on the lower strings, with a high E on the first string adding a unique tension or melodic potential. The open string configuration is D-A-D-F-A-E.

• The bottom three strings (D-A-D) form a powerful Drop D variant, providing the quintessential low D power chord for heavy riffing.
• Strings 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (D-A-D-F-A) create a D minor arpeggio, offering a solid D minor triad (D-F-A) with the low D and its octave. This makes open D minor chords readily available.
• The first string remains at E4, creating a Major 9th interval (or Major 2nd) relative to the root D. This E note is particularly interesting. When played open with the other strings, it forms a D minor add9 (D-F-A-E), which is a lush and slightly melancholic sound. This upper E can also be used as a drone or a point of melodic tension against the D minor foundation.

This tuning facilitates wide, open voicings and offers a distinctive tonality that is both heavy and melodically rich. It encourages exploration of intricate arpeggios and allows for quick transitions between power chords and more complex harmonies.

Chords and Voicings within reach:

• Open D minor: By simply strumming strings 6-2 (D-A-D-F-A), you get a full D minor chord. Including the high E results in a D minor add9.
• Power Chords: Standard power chord shapes (e.g., fretting 5th string at 5th fret, 4th string at 7th fret) can be adapted. The low D allows for immediate Drop D style power chords on the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings.
• Suspended Chords: The open E on the 1st string, relative to D, can easily form suspended 2nd or 9th voicings when combined with other notes.
• Modal Explorations: The D minor foundation naturally leans into D Aeolian (natural minor) and Phrygian modes, while the high E offers interesting extensions.

How to Tune:

To achieve the Opeth Tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and make the following adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Note: When tuning strings more than 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or intonation issues. For this tuning, all movements are within 2 semitones, making it safe for standard string gauges.

6th String: D2

5th String: A2

4th String: D3

3rd String: F3

2nd String: A3

1st String: E4