About the Mnspector Iorse Tuning (D A E G A E)

The "Mnspector Iorse" tuning, famously utilized by the band This Town Needs Guns, is a highly distinctive alternative tuning for guitar, deviating significantly from standard EADGBe. This tuning creates a unique sonic landscape characterized by its open, resonant, and often melancholic or atmospheric qualities. It's an excellent choice for players looking to explore intricate arpeggios, shimmering open chords, and dynamic textural work, typical of math-rock and post-rock genres.

Technical Analysis:

• Open String Notes: D2 A2 E3 G3 A3 E4.
• Interval Structure: From the low D, the intervals are Root (D), Perfect 5th (A), Major 9th/2nd (E), Perfect 11th/4th (G), Perfect 5th (A), Major 9th/2nd (E). This structure is rich in perfect fifths and major seconds/ninths, giving it an open, suspended quality.
• Relationship to DADGAD: While not strictly DADGAD, it shares its low D and A strings, but then diverges with the 4th string raised to E (instead of D) and the 2nd string lowered to A (instead of B). The 1st string is also E (instead of E standard). This makes it a very unique variant, often described as DAEGAE.
• Chordal Implications:
  • Strumming all open strings yields a powerful, resonant sound that functions effectively as a Dsus2/4 or Dadd9sus4 chord. The absence of a major third (F#) keeps the tuning harmonically ambiguous and versatile.
  • The presence of two A notes and two E notes allows for sympathetic resonance and sustained drone effects, particularly useful for melodic playing over an open backdrop.
  • Chords like open Dsus2/4 are immediately accessible. Barre chords at different frets will also naturally produce suspended or 'add9' voicings, such as barring at the 2nd fret (Eadd9sus4) or the 5th fret (Aadd9sus4).
  • The intervals between adjacent strings (P5, P5, m3, M2, P5) offer unique fingerings for common chord shapes and allows for interesting melodic possibilities across strings.
• Melodic Potential: The arrangement of notes lends itself well to arpeggiated patterns and fingerstyle playing, with the open strings providing rich harmonic support. The E notes on the 4th and 1st strings, combined with the G on the 3rd string, create a bright upper register despite the low D foundation.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Lowest): D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: A3
• String 1 (Highest): E4

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Mnspector Iorse" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments. Please use a reliable tuner for accuracy.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2. This creates a deeper, more resonant bass foundation.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D3 to E3. This raises the string a whole step, adding brightness and a unique harmonic interval.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3. This lowers the string a whole step, creating a unique open major second interval with the 3rd string G.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at E4.

Important Note: All string movements in this tuning are within a safe range of +/- 2 semitones. For tunings requiring movements greater than 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is often advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage, though it is not necessary for this particular tuning.