Verbal Analysis:

This tuning, described by its creator as "a really pretty tuning I found when I was coming up with a song," truly lives up to its name. It offers a wonderfully resonant and harmonically rich soundscape, immediately evoking a spacious, extended D Major tonality. The open strings, D2 B2 D3 F#4 C#5 E4, form a complex Dmaj7(add2, add6) chord (or Dmaj9sus2), characterized by its shimmering, open voicings rather than traditional power-chord sounds. The arrangement of notes creates a beautiful, almost melancholic, yet bright character, perfect for atmospheric pieces, intricate fingerstyle, or expressive chordal work. It captures a 'blue hour' sensibility, allowing for intricate melodies to ring out over a consistent harmonic foundation.

With such a rich open chord, many common shapes are transformed. Simple one-finger barres or partial chords around this open shape will sound harmonious and inspiring. For instance, moving a full barre up two frets would yield an Emaj7(add2, add6) equivalent. The lower strings (D-B-D on 6-5-4) create a strong D6/9 feel, while the higher strings (F#4 C#5 E4 on 3-2-1) hint at F# minor or F#maj7sus2 voicings. This tuning is excellent for exploring D major, Lydian, or Mixolydian modes, and its open nature makes it highly intuitive for melodic improvisation over the drone. Its unique structure encourages discovery and fresh harmonic ideas.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning consists of the following notes from the 6th (low E) to the 1st (high E) string: D2 B2 D3 F#4 C#5 E4. Analyzing the intervals relative to the lowest D2 string, we observe a complex harmonic structure:

• String 6 (D2): Root
• String 5 (B2): Major 6th above the root D2
• String 4 (D3): Octave above the root D2
• String 3 (F#4): Major 3rd above D3
• String 2 (C#5): Major 7th above D3
• String 1 (E4): Major 9th (or Major 2nd) above D3

The open strings form a D major 7th chord (D, F#, C#) with significant added extensions: a Major 2nd (E) and a Major 6th (B). This configuration results in a Dmaj9(add6) chord without a perfect 5th (A), which provides its characteristic open and spacious resonance. The repetition of the D note on strings 6 and 4 provides a strong root foundation, while the varied intervals between adjacent strings (M6, m3, M3, P5, m3) facilitate unique chord voicings and melodic possibilities not typically found in standard tuning.

How to Tune:

To set your guitar to the 'Azure D-Majesty' tuning, adjust your strings from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2. Exercise caution when tuning up.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 2 semitones to C#5. Exercise caution when tuning up.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Important Note on String Gauge: Generally, when tuning strings up or down by 3 or 4 semitones or more, it is advisable to consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and prevent breakage. For this 'Azure D-Majesty' tuning, the maximum string movement is 2 semitones up or down, which typically falls within safe limits for standard string gauges. However, always proceed with care and be mindful of your instrument when tuning.