Lovekilss Tuning (Dmadd9) Analysis

The Lovekilss Tuning, labelled as Dmadd9, is a unique and highly expressive tuning designed for modern Shoegaze, Midwest Emo, Alt Rock, and Post Hardcore influences. It fosters a rich, resonant soundscape perfect for atmospheric textures, intricate arpeggios, and powerful open chord voicings.

Verbal Analysis & Musical Character

At its core, this tuning presents a beautiful D minor add9 chord in its open state (D-A-E-A-D-F from low to high). This provides an immediate, lush harmonic foundation, ready for atmospheric and emotive compositions. The inclusion of the 'add9' (E note) brings a sophisticated, slightly melancholic yet bright quality, typical of modern alternative genres. The open strings resonate freely, creating a full-bodied sound ideal for delay-drenched arpeggios and sustained chords. The repetition of D and A notes across different octaves further enhances this resonance, making the instrument feel alive and vibrant. This structure lends itself well to drone-based music or pedal tones, allowing single-note melodies to ring out against a rich harmonic backdrop. Chords that would typically require complex fingerings become readily available with simple fretting, especially shapes that leverage the open Dmadd9 harmony.

Technical Analysis & Chordal Opportunities

Technically, the Lovekilss Tuning arranges the guitar strings to produce a D minor add9 chord in its open position. The notes are D2-A2-E3-A3-D4-F4. This open voicing makes it exceptionally easy to create various Dmadd9 inversions or related chords by simply barring across frets. For instance, barring all strings at the first fret yields an Ebmadd9 (Eb-Bb-F-Bb-Eb-Gb). The unique intervalic relationships between the strings also open up interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities:

• The low D-A provides a solid foundation for power chords (D5) or drone notes.
• The middle E-A-D (strings 4, 3, 2) creates a sus2-like cluster over A, or can be seen as parts of a Dsus2 chord, adding to the tuning's inherent openness and ambiguity.
• The high D-F (strings 2, 1) cleanly articulates the minor third over D, ensuring the minor quality is present.
• The consistent Dmadd9 shape across the neck means that moving this shape up or down the fretboard maintains the core harmonic character, allowing for easy transposition of ideas.

How to Tune (Critical String Tension Advisory)

Important Advisory: This tuning involves significantly raising the pitch of all strings from their likely standard positions. Tuning strings up by more than 4 semitones can place considerable stress on your guitar neck and bridge, and drastically increase the risk of string breakage. For this tuning, with movements ranging from 3 to 7 semitones up for every string, it is strongly recommended to use a lighter gauge set of strings than your standard setup. Consider seeking professional advice or using individual strings specifically chosen for higher tension tunings to prevent damage to your instrument.

To achieve the Lovekilss Tuning (Dmadd9), adjust each string to its target note as follows:

• 6th String (D2): Tune up 3 semitones.
• 5th String (A2): Tune up 5 semitones.
• 4th String (E3): Tune up 7 semitones.
• 3rd String (A3): Tune up 7 semitones.
• 2nd String (D4): Tune up 7 semitones.
• 1st String (F4): Tune up 6 semitones.

Always tune carefully and gradually, listening to your guitar's response.

6th String: D2 (Low D)

5th String: A2

4th String: E3

3rd String: A3

2nd String: D4

1st String: F4 (High F)