Tuning Analysis: The 'daegbd' Tuning

This unique tuning, aptly named 'daegbd' after its open string notes, is designed for versatility, aiming to blend the depth required for rock, the openness suited for folk and math rock, and surprisingly, the ability to play traditional CAGED chords. The tuning achieves this by making some significant, and at times, drastic adjustments to standard EADGBe.

Verbal Analysis

The creator's intent for 'daegbd' is to provide a broad sonic palette. The dropped low D (D2) and high D (D4) strings certainly open up possibilities for deep, resonant voicings and sparkling upper register drones, which would appeal to rock and math-rock players. The decision to keep the A (A2) and G (G3) strings at their standard pitch provides a familiar anchor, allowing players to find some common ground amidst the changes. However, the most striking feature is the dramatic drop of the B string (String 2) by a full octave to B2. This particular change will fundamentally alter many standard chord voicings, offering new harmonic textures but also requiring significant re-learning for traditional CAGED shapes involving this string.

This tuning lends itself well to open, ringing sounds, particularly with the low D and high D creating a strong fundamental. The open strings themselves (D-A-E-G-B-D) don't form a simple major or minor triad, but rather a rich, complex Dsus2,4,6 voicing (D, E, G, A, B). This offers a sophisticated harmonic canvas right off the bat.

Technical Analysis

The tuning from low to high is D2-A2-E3-G3-B2-D4.

• Intervals (from low to high):
  • String 6 (D2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 5th
  • String 5 (A2) to String 4 (E3): Perfect 4th
  • String 4 (E3) to String 3 (G3): Minor 3rd
  • String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B2): Major 3rd (effectively a Major 3rd an octave lower than standard G-B)
  • String 2 (B2) to String 1 (D4): Minor 10th (Minor 3rd plus an octave)

While not an open chord tuning in the traditional sense, the presence of D and A in the lowest two strings provides a strong D power chord foundation. Notably, the notes on String 3 (G3), String 2 (B2), and String 1 (D4) together form an open G Major triad, meaning a G Major chord can be strummed cleanly using these three strings.

The lower register (D2-A2-E3) offers a powerful and deep voicing for the root and fifth, ideal for heavy riffs. The higher strings, with their unique intervals (G3-B2-D4), create intriguing melodic and harmonic possibilities, allowing for both wide, expansive voicings and and tight, complex clusters depending on chord construction. The drastically lowered B2 string will require a significant adjustment for players accustomed to standard tuning, particularly when forming chords across multiple strings, as its pitch relation to adjacent strings is altered dramatically.

Chordal Implications

Given the open notes:

• Open D Power Chord: Strings 6 and 5 (D2-A2) provide a solid D power chord.
• Open G Major Triad: Strings 3, 2, and 1 (G3-B2-D4) form a G Major chord.
• Complex Open Voicing: Strumming all open strings (D-A-E-G-B-D) yields a Dsus2,4,6 chord, which has a very open and modern sound, ideal for atmospheric or progressive music.

The aim of playing "normal CAGED chords" will be challenging, especially for chords that typically involve the 2nd (B) string. The B string's drop by an octave means that standard chord shapes will need to be re-fretted or re-imagined. For example, a standard C Major (X32010) would now have an octave-lowered B, drastically changing its character. However, shapes that primarily use strings 6, 5, 4, 3, and 1 might be more adaptable, especially if the 2nd string is either muted or intentionally used for its new, lower octave. This tuning certainly encourages exploration and innovation rather than strict adherence to traditional chord shapes.

How to Tune 'daegbd'

To achieve the 'daegbd' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps carefully:

1. String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
2. String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
3. String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D3 to E3.
4. String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
5. String 2 (B): Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave!) from B3 to B2. Special care advised: This is a very significant drop. For optimal tone and string tension, using a heavier gauge string for the 2nd string is strongly recommended to prevent floppiness and potential intonation issues. Tuning down this much on a standard gauge string might also cause it to feel very loose.
6. String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

Open String Notes

Here are the notes for each open string in the 'daegbd' tuning:

• String 6 (Lowest String): D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B2
• String 1 (Highest String): D4