This unique tuning, aptly named Open Dmaj9, is a sophisticated blend designed for rich, expansive soundscapes, as highlighted by its creator for use in shoegaze music. It offers an immediate and full D major ninth chord when strummed open, providing a lush harmonic foundation perfect for atmospheric and layered guitar work. The blend of familiar open string roots with distinct intervallic shifts creates a tuning that feels both grounded and ethereal.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2-A2-D3-F4#-C5#-E4. This arrangement directly spells out a Dmaj9 chord (D-F#-A-C#-E) across the open strings, with the root (D) and fifth (A) reinforced in the lower octaves. Specifically:

• D (Root): Provided by the 6th and 4th strings (D2, D3), offering a powerful, resonant low end.
• A (Fifth): On the 5th string (A2), solidifying the D major harmony.
• F# (Major Third): On the 3rd string (F4#), establishing the major quality.
• C# (Major Seventh): On the 2nd string (C5#), adding the distinctive major seventh voicing.
• E (Major Ninth): On the 1st string (E4), completing the rich major ninth extension.

The tuning features significant departures from standard EADGBe, with the low E dropping to D, the G string dropping to F#, and the B string raising to C#. These changes create a wide and harmonically dense sound field.

Chordal Opportunities

The Open Dmaj9 tuning naturally lends itself to creating expansive and resonant chords with minimal effort:

• Open Dmaj9: A full strum across all open strings immediately produces a lush D major ninth chord, perfect for atmospheric introductions or sustained pads.
• Movability: By barring across all strings at any given fret, you can easily transpose the Dmaj9 chord shape to other major ninth chords (e.g., barre at the 5th fret yields a Gmaj9 chord).
• Drone & Power Chords: The D-A-D arrangement on the lowest three strings makes it easy to play power chords and drone notes, providing a solid rhythmic and harmonic base for lead lines or arpeggios on the higher, more harmonically complex strings.
• Unique Voicings: The unique intervals, particularly the major third and major seventh on adjacent strings (F# and C#), open up possibilities for complex arpeggios and melodic phrases that would be difficult or impossible in standard tuning. The overall shape encourages open, ringing sounds, making it ideal for fingerpicking patterns that emphasize its inherent harmonic richness.

Open String Notes

String 6: D2
String 5: A2
String 4: D3
String 3: F4#
String 2: C5#
String 1: E4

How to Tune Your Guitar

Before adjusting your strings, ensure your guitar is tuned to standard EADGBe. Always tune carefully, especially when increasing string tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is advisable to prevent string breakage or intonation issues. For this particular tuning, the adjustments are generally within safe limits for standard strings.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F4#.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 2 semitones to C5#.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains E4.