This unique tuning, known as Nick Drake, is directly inspired by the intricate and atmospheric guitar work found in the songs of the legendary musician Nick Drake. It offers a distinctive soundscape, moving away from standard guitar voicings to open up new harmonic possibilities, often characterized by rich drones and suspended qualities.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for this 6-string guitar is set to D-A-D-G-D-G (from low E to high E). This means that three of the strings are tuned to D, two to G, and one to A. This configuration creates a resonant foundation, particularly around the notes of D and G. The intervals from the lowest D string are a Perfect 5th (A), an Octave (D), a Perfect 4th (G), an Octave (D), and another Perfect 4th (G). This tuning can be thought of as an Open Dsus4 tuning due to the prominent D and G notes.

Open Chords & Musicality

With the open strings tuned to D-A-D-G-D-G, the guitar naturally resonates as a D suspended 4th (Dsus4) chord. This provides an immediate lush, open sound without any fretting, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing and creating expansive sonic textures. Barre chords become significantly simplified; by simply barring all strings across any fret, you can easily play various suspended 4th chords up and down the neck, allowing for modal exploration and sustained drone effects.

The repeated D and G notes across different octaves create a natural sense of depth and sustain. This tuning encourages experimentation with open string drones against fretted melodies, leading to the melancholic yet beautiful sound often associated with Nick Drake's music. Chords like open G major (by barring the 1st fret and moving the A string to B) or A minor shapes could also be within reach with minimal fingering adjustments, leveraging the inherent Dsus4 structure.

How to Tune

To achieve the Nick Drake tuning, follow these precise string adjustments from standard E-A-D-G-B-e tuning:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D4. Please exercise caution when tuning this string up. Tuning up 3 semitones can put increased tension on the string, and while generally acceptable for standard gauges, always proceed slowly and consider a different string gauge if discomfort is noted or if you frequently use this tuning.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 3 semitones to G4. As with the 2nd string, tuning up 3 semitones can increase string tension. Tune gradually and be mindful of your string's condition. For sustained use or if the current string feels too tight, a lighter gauge might be beneficial.

String 6 (Lowest E String in Standard): D2

String 5 (A String in Standard): A2

String 4 (D String in Standard): D3

String 3 (G String in Standard): G3

String 2 (B String in Standard): D4

String 1 (Highest E String in Standard): G4