"DADGAA" - The Unison Suspend

The "DADGAA" tuning presents a fascinating twist on the popular DADGAD, offering a rich, open sound with a distinctive shimmer. As described by its originator, this tuning emerged from an accidental discovery—a broken high E string replaced with a heavier gauge and tuned to match the B string's note in DADGAD, which resulted in two A's at the top. This gives the unique effect of a 12-string guitar's paired strings, but without the octave difference, creating a captivating unison quality.

Technical Breakdown:

The open string notes are D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 A3, from the lowest to the highest string. This configuration results in an open Dsus4 chord, specifically D-G-A. The lowest three strings (D-A-D) form a powerful D5 chord, providing a strong harmonic foundation. The progression then moves to G3 on the 3rd string, which acts as a suspended fourth. The most defining feature is the unison A3-A3 on the 2nd and 1st strings. This double A creates a resonant, shimmering quality, lending itself beautifully to open strumming, arpeggiation, and ambient textures.

Compared to DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D), the highest string here is lowered from D to A. This creates a denser, more cohesive sound on the upper register due to the unison, rather than the slightly wider interval of a perfect fourth found in DADGAD's highest strings. The overall tonality is bright and open, leaning towards a D suspended sound with a strong emphasis on the root and fifth, and the added G providing that characteristic suspension.

Chordal Exploration:

With its open Dsus4 voicing, this tuning is immediately inspiring for open chord work. Barring all strings at any fret will yield a movable suspended 4th chord (e.g., 2nd fret for Esus4, 5th fret for Gsus4), making it versatile for modal playing. The D-A-D foundation on the lower strings allows for powerful bass lines and drone notes. Fingerstyle players will find the unison A3-A3 particularly rewarding, as it adds depth and a bell-like quality to melodies played on the higher strings. The tuning is well-suited for folk, ambient, experimental, and even rock genres where a rich, resonant open sound is desired.

Tuning Notes:

• String 6 (Low E): D2
• String 5 (A): A2
• String 4 (D): D3
• String 3 (G): G3
• String 2 (B): A3
• String 1 (High E): A3

How to Tune Your Guitar to DADGAA:

To achieve the DADGAA tuning from standard E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change from A to A2 (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change from D to D3 (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change from G to G3 (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones from E to A3. (Warning: Tuning down 7 semitones is a significant change. For optimal playability and string longevity, considering a heavier gauge string for this position is strongly advised.)

Always tune carefully, checking intonation as you go. Significant changes in string tension can affect your guitar's neck, so allow the instrument to settle after tuning.