The Sound of DADGED: An Open, Suspended Landscape

The DADGED tuning for guitar is a captivating and unique open tuning, closely related to the popular DADGAD but with a distinct character. As the name suggests, this tuning centers around the key of D, creating a rich and resonant foundation.

Verbal Analysis:

When strummed open, DADGED immediately presents an airy, suspended quality. Unlike major or minor tunings, the absence of a major or minor third interval in the open chord (D-A-D-G-E-D) gives it a wonderfully ambiguous and ethereal sound. The original description notes this creates a "sus4 sound of the G [further augmented by] the sus2 sound of the E." This means it's neither happy nor sad, but rather a versatile and evocative chord that invites exploration.

It's particularly well-suited for drone-based music, fingerstyle arrangements, and compositions where a sense of openness, vastness, or introspection is desired. The strong low D provides a powerful anchor, while the higher strings, especially the E4, offer bright melodic possibilities. The original tuner highlights that playing melodies on the 2nd string against the G on the 3rd or D on the 1st is intuitive, suggesting excellent lead and counterpoint potential within the tuning.

Technical Analysis:

DADGED is a D-centric open tuning with the notes from low to high: D2 A2 D3 G3 E4 D4. Analysing the intervals relative to the root D:

• 6th String (D2): Root (Octave down)
• 5th String (A2): Perfect 5th
• 4th String (D3): Root (Unison with 6th string, one octave up)
• 3rd String (G3): Perfect 4th (sus4)
• 2nd String (E4): Major 2nd (sus2)
• 1st String (D4): Root (Unison with 6th string, two octaves up)

The open strum creates a Dsus2sus4 chord (D, E, G, A), rich with harmonic possibilities due to the stacked seconds and fourths. This lack of a major or minor third makes it highly versatile for various musical moods. The repeated D notes (D2, D3, D4) provide a powerful and consistent tonic presence across the fretboard.

Open & Reachable Chords:

• Open Dsus2sus4: The fundamental open chord (D-A-D-G-E-D) is ready for immediate use, offering a shimmering and expansive sound.
• D-based Chords: Chords with a strong D foundation are readily available. By carefully fretting the G (3rd string) and E (2nd string) strings, players can explore various suspended, added, and extended chords. For instance, fretting the G string at the 1st fret (F#) while keeping the E string open would create a Dadd2/F# chord (D-A-D-F#-E-D), offering a brighter, more major-like tonality. The open fifth (A) and root (D) ensure that D-based chords remain resonant.
• Power Chords: The D-A-D on the lower strings allows for powerful, resonant power chords by simply fretting the lower strings.
• Melodic Exploration: The specific arrangement, particularly the E4 on the 2nd string, makes it conducive to melodic lines that play against the open D and G strings, creating interesting harmonic textures.

Below are the notes for each string in DADGED tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string:

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: E4
• 1st String: D4

How to Tune to DADGED:

To achieve the DADGED tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string. Please exercise caution when tuning, especially with larger semitone movements, as this can affect string tension and potentially require a different string gauge if movements exceed 4 semitones up or down significantly over time.

• 6th String (Low E): From its standard E2, tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change from its standard A2. It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change from its standard D3. It remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change from its standard G3. It remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): From its standard B3, tune up 5 semitones to E4. (Note: This is a significant upward adjustment. For sustained use, a lighter gauge B string or considering an E string might be advisable to prevent excessive tension.)
• 1st String (High E): From its standard E4, tune down 2 semitones to D4.