Tuning Analysis: DAFACF

The 'DAFACF' tuning is a highly resonant and versatile open tuning for the guitar, immediately presenting a rich D minor 7th chord (Dm7) when all open strings are strummed. This inherent chordal quality, as suggested by its original description, makes it exceptionally well-suited for a variety of musical genres and playing styles, from blues and folk to more contemporary or ambient soundscapes.

Verbal Description:

Envision a tuning that feels expansive and moody, yet remarkably full-bodied. The DAFACF tuning delivers a deep, almost melancholic resonance that is both inviting and inspiring. With a strong foundation from the low D and A strings, the tuning builds upwards through a series of minor 3rds and perfect 5ths, creating a harmonious D minor 7th chord. The clever repetition of the A (on strings 5 and 3) and F (on strings 4 and 1) across different octaves imbues the tuning with a natural chorus-like effect, allowing notes to ring out with exceptional sustain and richness. It's a tuning that encourages expressive playing, where even simple strumming or arpeggiation yields a sophisticated and evocative sound.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are precisely: D2-A2-F3-A3-C4-F4. Analyzing the intervals relative to the D root (String 6), we find:

• String 6 (D2): Root
• String 5 (A2): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 4 (F3): Minor 3rd (m3)
• String 3 (A3): Perfect 5th (P5, octave higher)
• String 2 (C4): Minor 7th (m7)
• String 1 (F4): Minor 3rd (m3, octave higher)

These intervals coalesce to form a clear D minor 7 (Dm7) chord (D-F-A-C), voiced across the strings with strategic octave doublings. The arrangement provides a strong tonal center while offering harmonic complexity, making it excellent for modal explorations, particularly in D minor or F major.

Chords and Playability:

The inherent structure of DAFACF unlocks several intriguing playing possibilities:

• Open Dm7 Chord: The most immediate benefit is the ability to strum all open strings to produce a perfectly voiced Dm7. This is fantastic for drone pieces, rhythm guitar, or as a rich harmonic bed for improvisation.
• Easy Barre Chords: By simply barring across all six strings at any fret, you can easily play minor 7th chords up and down the neck. For instance, a barre at the 2nd fret yields an Em7, at the 5th fret an Am7, and so on. This simplifies playing complex minor 7th progressions.
• Partial Chords & Melodies: The open 5th interval (D-A) on the lowest two strings provides a powerful and stable drone for melodic playing or crafting bass lines. The multiple F and A notes allow for creative voicings of F major and A minor chords by selectively muting or fretting.
• Slide Guitar: This tuning is particularly well-suited for slide guitar due to its open chord nature. The Dm7 offers a beautiful harmonic context for expressive slide melodies and glissandos, especially in blues and roots music.
• Fingerstyle Potential: The open string resonance and clear intervals make it excellent for fingerstyle, allowing for intricate arpeggios that highlight the Dm7 harmony.

DAFACF is a truly inspiring tuning that invites exploration and rewards players with unique sonic textures not easily achieved in standard tuning.

Open Notes: DAFACF

• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: F3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C4
• String 1: F4

How to Tune: (From Standard E-A-D-G-B-E)

Follow these steps to tune your guitar to DAFACF:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 3 semitones from D3 to F3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones from G3 to A3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 1 semitone from E4 to F4.

Please note that all string movements are within a safe range, so a different gauge string is generally not required for this tuning.