Verbal Analysis

The Malady Tuning, attributed to an artist named Larriva, is a distinct and highly experimental guitar tuning. The name itself, "Malady," hints at its possibly dissonant or melancholic character, suggesting a sonic landscape far removed from standard harmonious compositions. This tuning significantly reconfigures the guitar, creating a unique set of open string relationships that encourage an explorative approach to the fretboard.

At its core, the tuning establishes a strong D presence across the instrument, with the 6th, 5th, and 1st strings all related to D. However, the most striking feature is the 4th string, tuned to D#3. This immediately introduces an augmented quality when played with the low D and A, creating a tense and unresolved foundation. This augmented triad (D-A-D#) is the defining characteristic of the Malady Tuning, providing a unique harmonic palette for experimental music, avant-garde styles, or atmospheric soundscapes.

Rather than facilitating common open major or minor chords, the Malady Tuning is designed for specific voicings and drone capabilities. It encourages players to think outside traditional chord shapes, finding new melodic and harmonic possibilities that exploit its unusual intervals. The presence of a G3 on the 2nd string alongside the D-A-D#-A structure adds further complexity, suggesting suspended qualities or a lean towards a D Mixolydian or Dorian scale, but always with the underlying tension of the D#.

Technical Analysis

The Malady Tuning is configured as D2-A2-D#3-A3-G3-D4. This represents a substantial departure from standard EADGBe tuning (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4):

• 6th String (Low E): Tuned down a whole step (2 semitones) from E2 to D2.
• 5th String (A): Remains at its standard pitch of A2.
• 4th String (D): Tuned up a semitone from D3 to D#3. This single semitone raise is crucial for the tuning's unique character.
• 3rd String (G): Tuned up a whole step (2 semitones) from G3 to A3.
• 2nd String (B): Tuned down two whole steps (4 semitones) from B3 to G3.
• 1st String (High E): Tuned down a whole step (2 semitones) from E4 to D4.

Analyzing the open string intervals from lowest to highest pitch:

• D2 (6th string) to A2 (5th string): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• A2 (5th string) to D#3 (4th string): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
• D#3 (4th string) to A3 (3rd string): Minor 3rd (down 3 semitones), or a Perfect 5th up from D2 (6th string).
• A3 (3rd string) to G3 (2nd string): Major 2nd (down 2 semitones)
• G3 (2nd string) to D4 (1st string): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)

Harmonic Implications: The most striking harmonic feature is the D augmented triad (D-A-D#) formed by the 6th, 5th, and 4th open strings. When all six strings are strummed open (D2-A2-D#3-A3-G3-D4), the resulting chord is a complex D Augmented chord with an added G (a suspended 4th) and doubled A and D notes in higher octaves. This creates a rich, often dissonant, and evocative open voicing, designed to be impactful and unique rather than conventionally pleasing.

Chords and Voicings

The Malady Tuning excels in offering specific harmonic textures and voicings:

• Open D Augmented Triad: The most immediate and characteristic chord is the D augmented triad (D-A-D#) by strumming strings 6, 5, and 4. Sliding this shape up the neck will yield other augmented triads.
• Drones and Power Chords: The low D2-A2 on the 6th and 5th strings provide a solid D power chord foundation. Similarly, the G3-D4 on the 2nd and 1st strings form a G power chord. These elements allow for powerful, resonant drones and simple, strong voicings.
• Suspended Qualities: The G3 on the 2nd string, in relation to the D and A notes, can create suspended chord voicings, adding a dreamy or unresolved quality when the D# is avoided or carefully integrated.
• Experimental Voicings: This tuning strongly encourages exploring new fingerings and shapes. Chords that emphasize the augmented intervals or create clusters and dissonances will be particularly effective for avant-garde or mood-setting compositions. The wide intervals between some strings also invite arpeggiated figures that reveal the tuning's unique harmonic landscape.

Tuning Notes and How to Tune

This section details the target notes for each string in the Malady Tuning and provides instructions on how to adjust your guitar from standard EADGBe tuning.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E2 to achieve D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone from its standard D3 to achieve D#3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard G3 to achieve A3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones from its standard B3 to achieve G3. (Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant decrease in tension. While generally acceptable, take care when adjusting and playing, as the string will feel much looser. If this tuning is used frequently, considering a heavier gauge string for the 2nd string can help maintain playability and tension.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E4 to achieve D4.