Verbal Analysis

This tuning, which can be thought of as an Open D Minor with a prominent flattened sixth (A# or Bb), creates a distinctively dark, melancholic, and resonant sound. It's excellent for generating powerful drones and is a favorite for slide guitar playing due to the open chord possibilities. The tuning lends itself well to genres such as blues, folk, and even some heavier styles where a deep, full minor chord is desired. The repetition of the D root and the A#/Bb note across different octaves provides a rich harmonic texture, making open strumming particularly satisfying and expressive.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2, A#3, D3, F3, A#4, D4. This configuration fundamentally spells out a D minor chord with an added flattened sixth (Bb or A#). Specifically, it includes the root (D), the minor third (F), and the flattened sixth (A#/Bb). While not a traditional D minor triad (D-F-A), the open strings form a Bb major triad (Bb-D-F) with D as the prominent bass note, giving it a strong D minor flavor due to the D root. The structure makes it incredibly easy to play a full D minor chord simply by strumming the open strings. Moving this shape up the neck by barring a single fret allows for easy transposition; for example, barring the 2nd fret would yield an E minor (add b6) chord (E-G-C). The octave pairings of D (6th & 4th, 4th & 1st strings) and A#/Bb (5th & 2nd strings) facilitate powerful strumming, drone notes, and lead lines that highlight these intervals.

Tuning Notes

The final tuning for each string is as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tuned to D2. This is the lowest string, providing a deep, foundational root note.
• String 5 (A): Tuned to A#3 (Bb3). This note introduces the flattened sixth, contributing significantly to the unique character of the tuning.
• String 4 (D): Tuned to D3. An octave higher D, reinforcing the root of the tuning.
• String 3 (G): Tuned to F3. This note is the minor third, establishing the minor tonality of the tuning.
• String 2 (B): Tuned to A#4 (Bb4). Another flattened sixth, an octave higher than the 5th string, adding brightness and reinforcing the distinctive harmony.
• String 1 (High E): Tuned to D4. The highest string, completing the tuning with another root note two octaves above the low D.

How to Tune from Standard EADGBe

To achieve this tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Start at E2. Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Start at A2. Tune up 1 semitone to A#2.
• String 4 (D): Start at D3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Start at G3. Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• String 2 (B): Start at B3. Tune down 1 semitone to A#3.
• String 1 (High E): Start at E4. Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Note: All string movements are within the recommended range for standard gauge strings, meaning a different gauge string is not typically advised for these changes.