Tuning Analysis: Babys Arms

This unique guitar tuning, famously used in Kurt Vile's "Babys Arms", transforms the standard guitar into a vibrant and resonant open chord.

Technical Breakdown:

The tuning sets the guitar to D2 B2 D3 F#4 B3 D4 from low to high (6th to 1st string). Let's analyze the intervals and harmonic possibilities:

• Root Note: The lowest string is tuned to D2, establishing D as the tonal center.
• Open Chord: Strumming all open strings reveals a rich D Major 6th chord (D-F#-B). The specific voicing is D2-B2-D3-F#4-B3-D4. This creates a bright, full, and slightly melancholic sound.
• Harmonic Structure: The tuning prominently features the root (D), major third (F#), and major sixth (B). The presence of multiple D's and B's across different octaves adds depth and resonance, creating a lush, layered sound.
• Intervalic Relationships: While not a simple symmetrical tuning, it features repeating octave relationships, such as between the 6th (D2) and 4th (D3) strings, and the 5th (B2) and 2nd (B3) strings. This contributes to the tuning's resonant quality.
• Notable Jump: The significant interval jump from the 4th string (D3) to the 3rd string (F#4) – a major tenth – creates a wide melodic and harmonic gap that can be exploited for interesting voicings and leads.

Playing Potential:

This open D Major 6th tuning lends itself well to:

• Drone and Rhythm: The open strings provide an immediate harmonic foundation, perfect for creating rich, sustained drones or rhythmic patterns with a full, resonant sound.
• Barre Chords: Simple barre chords across all strings will naturally produce variations of the D6 voicing up the neck, making it easy to transpose the open sound while maintaining its harmonic character.
• Melodic Opportunities: The distinct intervals between strings, especially the high F#4, offer unique melodic possibilities for single-note lines that will resonate against the open D6 harmony.
• Specific Chords: While the open tuning itself is a D6, easily accessible chords due to the configuration include D Major, B minor (relative minor of D Major), and potentially other extensions by adding just one or two fingers. The open string configuration makes suspended chords or unique dissonances easy to discover by fretting adjacent strings.

Overall, "Babys Arms" tuning is a distinctive and harmonically rich alteration that offers a unique sonic palette, moving beyond standard guitar voicings into a world of open, resonant textures.

Tuning Notes: Babys Arms

The final notes for the 'Babys Arms' tuning from low (6th string) to high (1st string) are:

6th String (Low E): D2

5th String (A): B2

4th String (D): D3

3rd String (G): F4#

2nd String (B): B3

1st String (High E): D4

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Babys Arms' tuning from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2. (Movement: -2 semitones)
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2. (Movement: +2 semitones)
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3. (Movement: 0 semitones)
• 3rd String (G): This string requires careful attention. The movement specified in the tuning data is to tune down 1 semitone. If starting from a standard G3, this movement would typically result in F#3. However, the final target note for this string in the 'Babys Arms' tuning is F4#. To reach F4# from a standard G3, you would need to tune up by a significant 13 semitones (an octave and a semitone), which is contrary to the 'tune down 1 semitone' instruction. Please ensure you are tuning precisely to the target F4# pitch. If starting from a standard G3, reaching F4# implies very high tension for a typical G string, and a different gauge string is strongly advised. (Movement: -1 semitone as described in the tuning data, targeting F4#)
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B3 to B3. (Movement: 0 semitones)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4. (Movement: -2 semitones)

Note on String Tension: For any tuning adjustments, always monitor string tension. While most individual movements here are within safe limits, the requirement for the 3rd string to be tuned to F4# (which is 13 semitones higher than a standard G3) significantly exceeds the recommended +/- 4 semitone range for string gauge changes. It is highly recommended to use a lighter gauge string specifically designed for such high tension if tuning a standard G string to F4#. Proceed with caution.