The Alip Ba Ta Godfather Tuning (DAGDGD)

This unique and evocative tuning, known as DAGDGD, is famously employed by the prodigious fingerstyle guitarist Alip Ba ta for his captivating rendition of The Godfather theme. You can hear its beautiful application here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd2-AZKuChg.

Verbally, this tuning creates a deep, resonant soundscape, ideal for fingerstyle arrangements and pieces that benefit from open string drones and rich harmonics. The prevalence of D and G notes across the strings provides a solid foundation for both melodic expression and complex chord voicings. It has a slightly melancholic yet powerful feel, perfect for dramatic compositions.

Technical Analysis

DAGDGD is a profound departure from standard tuning, building upon a D-centric foundation. Technically, it can be viewed as an extensive modification of drop D or open D tunings. The open strings, D-A-G-D-G-D, intrinsically outline a Dsus4 chord (D, G, A), offering a rich, suspended quality that can easily resolve to a D major or D minor simply by fretting specific notes. The repeating G-D interval on the higher strings (G2-D3-G3-D4) makes barre chords particularly effective and harmonious, allowing for powerful open voicings and easy access to modal sounds centered around D and G.

The intervals from low to high are:

• D2 to A2: Perfect 5th
• A2 to G2: Major 7th (up) or Minor 2nd (down)
• G2 to D3: Perfect 5th
• D3 to G3: Perfect 4th
• G3 to D4: Perfect 5th

This arrangement, with its many perfect fifths and a perfect fourth, lends itself to powerful open string harmonies and easily formed chord shapes. Simple barres across the upper strings can yield instant power chords or open D/G related chords. For instance, a barre at the 2nd fret across strings 1-3 would yield an E-G-E shape (relative to the open D-G-D) or similar depending on the bass note.

Chords Within Reach:

• Open Strings: Implies Dsus4 (D-G-A).
• D Major/Minor: Easily achieved by adjusting a single note on one of the G strings or the A string. For example, fretting the 2nd string (G3) at the 2nd fret yields A, giving a Dsus2, or fretting the 3rd string (D3) at the 2nd fret for E, or the 4th string (G2) at the 2nd fret for A, all contributing to D major/minor voicings with relative ease.
• Power Chords: A single finger barring strings 1-3 (or more) will produce potent D-based or G-based power chords across the fretboard.
• Drone Chords: The abundance of open D and G notes allows for rich, sustained drone chords, perfect for modal playing and atmospheric textures.

Due to several strings being tuned down significantly, string tension will be noticeably lower than standard tuning. This can contribute to a warmer, looser feel, but for optimal performance and to prevent string flop, especially on the G2, D3, and G3 strings, considering a heavier gauge string set is highly advisable.

Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Low E): D2
• String 5 (A): A2
• String 4 (D): G2
• String 3 (G): D3
• String 2 (B): G3
• String 1 (High e): D4

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 7 semitones to G2. Caution: For this significant drop, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. Caution: For this significant drop, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones to G3. Caution: For this significant drop, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

General Note on String Gauges: When tuning strings down by more than 4 semitones, as is the case for Strings 4, 3, and 2 in this tuning, you may experience a significant loss of string tension and a 'floppy' feel. Using a heavier gauge string set can help maintain optimal playability, tone, and intonation for these lower tunings.