This unique guitar tuning, known as Yvette Young's signature tuning, is described as "math rock dreamy" and truly embodies that spirit. It's a non-standard open tuning designed to inspire intricate arpeggios, complex voicings, and a blend of resonance and delightful dissonance, characteristic of modern progressive and math rock genres.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, the tuning creates a deep, resonant foundation with two D notes (low D and mid D) and two A notes (A string 5 and A string 2), lending itself to a strong D-based drone or power chord feel across the lower strings (D-A-D). This gives a sense of open space and allows for ringing sustained notes. The presence of the G# (G sharp) on the 3rd string is the defining element that injects the 'math rock' tension and 'dreamy' complexity. Against the D root, G# forms an augmented fourth (tritone), a famously dissonant interval that, when handled creatively, can lead to captivating harmonic textures. The open E on the high string adds a bright, chiming quality, often used as an extension or part of a melody. This tuning encourages players to explore unconventional fingerings and think outside typical chord shapes, making it ideal for instrumental pieces where melody and harmony intertwine in unexpected ways. While it doesn't offer easily recognizable major or minor chords in open position, the open D-A-D (strings 6,5,4) forms a powerful D5 chord, and D-A-D-A-E (strings 6,5,4,2,1) suggests a Dsus2 or D5add9, providing a lush, open sound when the G# is selectively avoided or used as a passing tone.

Technical Analysis

Starting from standard EADGBe tuning, the string movements are calculated to achieve the following open notes:

• String 6: D2 (from E2 - a whole step down)
• String 5: A2 (no change)
• String 4: D3 (no change)
• String 3: G#3 (from G3 - a half step up - Note: The JSON's tuning_notes lists this as G4#, which would be an octave higher; however, the string_movements indicates only a 1 semitone increase from standard G3, leading to G#3. For practical tuning and analysis based on movement, we assume G#3.)
• String 2: A3 (from B3 - a whole step down)
• String 1: E4 (no change)

The tuning creates a chordal structure of D2-A2-D3-G#3-A3-E4. The intervals from the lowest D (D2) are: Perfect 5th (A2), Octave (D3), Augmented 4th (G#3), Perfect 5th (A3 - an octave above A2), and Major 9th (E4 - an octave above E2). The repetition of D and A notes provides a strong tonal center, while the G# adds harmonic complexity and tension. This configuration avoids common diatonic relationships, prompting the player to discover new melodic and harmonic possibilities.

Open String Notes

The open strings for this tuning are as follows:

String 6 (low E): D2
String 5 (A): A2
String 4 (D): D3
String 3 (G): G4#
String 2 (B): A3
String 1 (high E): E4

How to Tune

To achieve the Yvette Young tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2. This movement is within a safe range for your strings.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2 to A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone from G3 to G#3. (Note on G4#: The JSON's tuning_notes specifies G4#, implying an octave jump. However, the string_movements indicates only a 1 semitone increase from standard G3. To achieve G4# from G3 would require tuning up 13 semitones. Players should exercise caution if attempting the G4# as it likely requires a different string gauge and significantly higher tension. For general use and based on the provided string movement, G#3 is the more practical and safer interpretation.) This movement is within a safe range for your strings.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3. This movement is within a safe range for your strings.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.

General String Gauge Advice: All specified string movements (down 2, no change, up 1) are relatively minor and typically safe for standard string gauges. However, if you intend to tune string 3 all the way to G4# as explicitly stated in the tuning_notes (an octave and a semitone up from standard G3), a much lighter gauge string would be absolutely essential to avoid breakage and neck damage, as this would involve an extreme increase in tension. For this tuning, no string movements exceed the advised range of -4 or +4 semitones, assuming the string 3 is G#3.