The "Drop D/Raised E" tuning is an intriguing modification, building upon the foundational Drop D with a unique twist. As the name suggests, it involves dropping the lowest E string to D, a common practice for achieving powerful low-end sounds and facilitating open power chords. The distinctive element here is the fourth string, typically D in standard tuning, which is raised a whole step to E. This creates a fascinating set of intervals and opens up new sonic possibilities.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning offers a blend of familiar power and unexpected melodic voicings. The dropped 6th string (D) provides a heavy, resonant bass, ideal for rock, metal, or any genre benefiting from a low D. The unique raise of the 4th string to E, alongside the standard 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings (G, B, E), creates an immediate open E minor chord (E-G-B-E) when strumming the top four strings. This duality—a powerful low D and an open E minor chord higher up—allows for a range of textures, from dark and heavy riffs to bright, open arpeggios.

While the tuning description mentions "like an all-fifths tuning for the sixth, fifth, fourth and second strings," it's more accurate to say that a perfect fifth interval is established between the 6th (D), 5th (A), and 4th (E) strings. This D-A-E sequence provides a strong, resonant Dsus2 voicing or the foundation for D power chords. The subsequent intervals (E to G, G to B, B to E) introduce minor and major thirds, and a perfect fourth, creating rich harmonic structures rather than a continuous all-fifths pattern across all specified strings.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2, A2, E3, G3, B3, E4. Let's examine the intervals:

• 6th String (D2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect Fifth
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (E3): Perfect Fifth
• 4th String (E3) to 3rd String (G3): Minor Third
• 3rd String (G3) to 2nd String (B3): Major Third
• 2nd String (B3) to 1st String (E4): Perfect Fourth

This combination offers several immediate open chord possibilities:

• D Sus2: Strumming the lowest three strings (D-A-E) yields a powerful Dsus2 chord, providing a rich, open sound.
• E Minor: Strumming the top four strings (E-G-B-E) forms a complete E minor chord, offering a surprisingly standard feel in the higher register despite the altered lower strings.
• G Major: By simply playing the top three strings (G-B-E), you get an open G major triad, which can be combined with the lower D and A to create extended G voicings.

The contiguous perfect fifths on the lower strings (D-A-E) make one-finger power chords across these strings highly accessible. This tuning encourages exploration of open string harmonies and unique drone possibilities, particularly with the contrasting low D and the higher E minor chord.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Drop D/Raised E" tuning, start from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. This is a common drop tuning, and your string should handle this tension change well.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3. This is a moderate tension increase. While generally safe for most standard gauge strings, always tune up slowly and carefully. For changes exceeding 3-4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge might be advisable for optimal tension and string life.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Always check your intonation after significant tuning changes, especially on the 4th string which is being raised.

6th String (Low E): D2

5th String (A): A2

4th String (D): E3

3rd String (G): G3

2nd String (B): B3

1st String (High E): E4