"D6/9" Tuning: An Experimental Open Chord Landscape

This intriguing custom tuning, aptly named D6/9, transforms your standard Guitar into a rich, open chord instrument. As described by its creator, it's a result of 'experimenting with alt tunings,' and the outcome is a beautifully voiced Dadd6/9 chord that sings out with the open strings. This tuning opens up new sonic possibilities for fingerstyle, songwriting, and exploring unique harmonic textures.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine striking all six open strings and hearing a full, resonant Dadd6/9 chord instantly. That's the magic of this tuning! The lowest three strings (D-A-F#) lay down a solid D Major triad foundation. What truly stands out is the unison F# on both the 4th and 3rd strings, adding a rich, sustained quality to the major third of the D chord. The higher strings, B and E, then complete the extended harmony, providing the major 6th and major 9th intervals above the root D.

This makes it incredibly easy to drone on a Dadd6/9 chord, ideal for creating atmospheric soundscapes or for those who love the sound of open string harmonies. The arrangement naturally encourages melodic exploration around the key of D, and its open nature could be particularly inspiring for slide guitarists or those looking to break away from standard chord shapes.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Tuning Name: D6/9
• Open String Notes: D2 A2 F#4 F#4 B3 E4
• Interval Structure (from D2):
  • String 6 (D2): Root
  • String 5 (A2): Perfect 5th
  • String 4 (F#4): Major 3rd (two octaves above root)
  • String 3 (F#4): Major 3rd (two octaves above root, unison with string 4)
  • String 2 (B3): Major 6th (one octave and a major 3rd above root)
  • String 1 (E4): Major 9th (two octaves and a major 2nd above root)

The harmonious arrangement of these intervals precisely forms a Dadd6/9 chord (D-F#-A-B-E). This means a full, rich extended chord is available without fretting any notes. The repeated F# on the 4th and 3rd strings creates a unique resonance that emphasizes the major tonality.

Accessible Chords & Musical Opportunities

• Open Dadd6/9: The most prominent feature, serving as a powerful drone or starting point for compositions.
• D Major Triad: Easily found on strings 6, 5, and 4 (D-A-F#), providing a strong tonal center.
• Related Chords: Due to the open Dadd6/9, chords within the key of D major or its relative minor (B minor) will feel very natural. Experiment with fretboard shapes that build upon the open string intervals.
• Slide Guitar: The open Dadd6/9 chord makes this tuning particularly suitable for slide guitar, allowing for expressive glides and sustained harmonies.
• Fingerstyle: The rich open voicings are perfect for intricate fingerstyle arrangements, allowing for lush harmonies with minimal effort.

This experimental tuning truly delivers on its promise, offering a unique and inspiring foundation for musical exploration.

How to Tune to D6/9

To achieve the D6/9 tuning, you will adjust your standard E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E) guitar tuning as follows. Always tune carefully and progressively.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change from A to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 4 semitones from D to F#4. Caution: Tuning up by 4 semitones is a significant tension increase. Consider using a lighter gauge string for this position to prevent string breakage or damage to your guitar.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change from B to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change from E to E4.

Double-check your tuning with a reliable tuner to ensure accuracy and enjoy the unique sounds of D6/9!