The 'Mitchgrade' tuning is a unique and evocative tuning for the guitar, specifically designed for melodic slide guitar playing, as created by Mitch Tal. It establishes a rich harmonic landscape, leaning heavily into a D minor tonality with a distinctive suspended 4th quality, making it ideal for expressive blues, folk, and alternative styles.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to D-A-D-G-D-F (low to high). This arrangement immediately presents a complex but resonant chord. Analyzing the intervals from the root (D):

• 6th String (D): Root (P1)
• 5th String (A): Perfect 5th (P5)
• 4th String (D): Octave (P8)
• 3rd String (G): Perfect 4th (P4)
• 2nd String (D): Octave (P8)
• 1st String (F): Minor 3rd (m3)

The notes D, F, and A are present across the strings, forming a D minor triad. The inclusion of G on the 3rd string introduces a strong suspended 4th quality (Dsus4). The overall open chord can be described as a D minor suspended 4th, offering a melancholic yet full sound that is particularly well-suited for slide work.

This tuning facilitates melodic playing and easy access to minor tonalities. The D-A-D structure across the lower strings provides a powerful root and fifth foundation, while the G-D-F on the higher strings allows for expressive melodic lines, especially with the minor third interval (D-F) on the top two strings. Barre chords across any fret will naturally transpose this Dsus4 minor voicing, for instance, barring at the 5th fret would yield a Gsus4 minor quality, providing immediate harmonic consistency.

How to Tune (from Standard E-A-D-G-B-E):

Achieving the Mitchgrade tuning involves specific adjustments to your guitar's standard E-A-D-G-B-E setup. Please exercise caution when tuning, especially when raising pitch significantly.

• 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): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D4. (Note: Tuning up 3 semitones requires careful attention. While generally safe, be mindful of your string gauge and guitar's neck tension.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 1 semitone to F4.

No individual string movement in this tuning exceeds 4 semitones up or down. However, for string movements of 3 or 4 semitones up, it is generally advised to exercise care and consider using an appropriate string gauge if you plan to keep the guitar in this tuning for extended periods.

This tuning provides a wide sonic palette for a slide guitarist, offering both deep, resonant drones and bright, cutting melodic lines within a minor sus4 context.

6th String: Tuned to D2 (an octave below D3).

5th String: Tuned to A2 (the A below middle C).

4th String: Tuned to D3 (the D below middle C).

3rd String: Tuned to G3 (the G below middle C).

2nd String: Tuned to D4 (the D above middle C).

1st String: Tuned to F4 (the F above middle C).