Tuning Analysis: Ron Jeremy Beadle D6/9 Open

This unique guitar tuning, originally featured by TTNG in their unreleased song "Ron Jeremy Beadle," offers a rich and harmonically complex soundscape. We've dubbed it the "Ron Jeremy Beadle D6/9 Open" due to its distinct open chord voicings.

Verbal Analysis: The Sound of D6/9

At its core, this tuning immediately presents a vibrant and full D Major 6/9 chord when played open. The arrangement of notes (D-A-E-F#-B-D, from low to high) creates a lush, almost orchestral texture that is both resonant and bright. The low D string provides a solid foundation, while the high D string offers a shimmering octave. The inclusion of the E (9th), F# (Major 3rd), and B (Major 6th/13th) adds sophistication, moving beyond a simple major chord into jazz and progressive territories. The most striking feature is the 3rd string tuned to F#4, making it the highest note in the open tuning – higher even than the 1st string D4. This creates an interesting melodic inversion and a bell-like clarity, capable of cutting through a mix.

This tuning is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, allowing the distinct voices of the D6/9 chord to ring out. It can also serve as an excellent base for intricate arpeggios and melodic lines. The wide intervals between certain strings, particularly between the 4th (E3) and 3rd (F#4) strings (a major 9th interval), provide ample space for creative voicings and potential drone effects. While traditional chord shapes will largely be obsolete, the open D6/9 provides a strong home base. Exploring shapes by barring across frets will unlock new harmonic possibilities; for example, barring all strings at the 2nd fret will yield a full E Major 6/9 chord (E-B-F#-G#-C#-E), maintaining the rich harmonic structure.

Technical Analysis: DADF#BD

This tuning deviates significantly from standard EADGBe (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4). The open notes are configured as follows:

• 6th String: D2 (Root)
• 5th String: A2 (Perfect 5th)
• 4th String: E3 (Major 9th of D)
• 3rd String: F#4 (Major 3rd of D)
• 2nd String: B3 (Major 6th/13th of D)
• 1st String: D4 (Octave Root)

The overall harmonic structure of the open strings forms a D Major 6/9 chord (D-E-F#-A-B). The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly noteworthy:

• 6th to 5th String (D2 to A2): Perfect 5th
• 5th to 4th String (A2 to E3): Perfect 5th
• 4th to 3rd String (E3 to F#4): Major 9th (E to F# an octave up)
• 3rd to 2nd String (F#4 to B3): Diminished 5th (descending) or Augmented 4th (ascending interval B3 to F#4)
• 2nd to 1st String (B3 to D4): Minor 3rd

The presence of a perfect fifth between the lower three strings (D-A-E) offers a powerful low end, while the higher strings introduce rich extensions and a unique melodic arrangement with the F#4 prominently placed.

How to Tune: From Standard EADGBe

To achieve the Ron Jeremy Beadle D6/9 Open tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D3 to E3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G3 to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

It's always recommended to tune carefully and ensure your guitar is properly intonated after significant tuning changes. While no individual string movement exceeds +/- 4 semitones in this tuning, which generally indicates the need for a different string gauge, it's still good practice to be mindful of string tension, especially when tuning up.

6th String (Low E): Tuned to D2

5th String (A): Tuned to A2

4th String (D): Tuned to E3

3rd String (G): Tuned to F#4

2nd String (B): Tuned to B3

1st String (High E): Tuned to D4