This is the distinctive guitar tuning famously employed by Nick Drake for his poignant track, "Place to Be." It transforms the standard EADGBe into a rich, open sound that is central to the song's melancholic and intricate fingerstyle character. The altered string tensions and unique note relationships create a harmonically dense landscape, perfect for specific melodic and harmonic movements that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning.

Technical Breakdown:

This tuning for the Guitar sets the open strings to D-A-D-G-A-F#. Let's examine the notes:

• String 6 (Low): D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: A3
• String 1 (High): F#5

When strummed open, these notes – D, A, G, F# – collectively form a complex yet harmonious chord. The core notes D, F#, and A clearly establish a D major tonality. The inclusion of the G on the 3rd string adds a suspended fourth or an eleventh, giving the chord a distinctive, open, and slightly wistful quality. This allows for easy access to D major, Dsus2, and G major-related voicings, and provides strong D and A drones, which are hallmarks of Nick Drake's style.

This tuning is particularly suited for fingerstyle playing, where the resonant open strings can ring out, creating a layered and atmospheric sound. The specific intervals between strings facilitate certain melodic patterns and chord shapes that are uniquely accessible within this configuration, allowing for the fluid and expressive playing heard in "Place to Be."

Open String 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): F#5

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Place to Be" tuning, follow these adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please tune carefully, especially when increasing string tension, and listen to your strings.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#5. Exercise caution when increasing string tension.