Tuning Overview: "triple Dgad"

The "triple Dgad" tuning, as its creator describes, emerged from experimentation and aiming for a pleasant sound. It's a highly resonant and unique alternative tuning for the guitar that significantly alters the instrument's tonal landscape. With a strong emphasis on the note D, this tuning provides a deep, foundational voice, making it particularly well-suited for styles that benefit from drones, open string resonance, or powerful, low-end riffing.

Technical Analysis

In this tuning, your guitar strings are set to: D2 D2 D3 G3 A3 D4 (from the lowest E string to the highest E string, respectively).

• Open String Resonance: The most defining characteristic is the trio of D notes across the lowest three strings (D2, D2, D3). This creates an incredibly powerful, thick, and resonant D drone or power chord when strummed open, laying a massive sonic foundation for your music.
• Chordal Implications: Strumming all open strings (D2 D2 D3 G3 A3 D4) produces a rich, open-voiced Dsus4add9 chord. This isn't a standard major or minor triad, but rather an expansive, modal sound (D-G-A-D with reinforcing low D octaves). It lends itself to evocative, atmospheric pieces rather than conventional chord progressions.
• Interval Relationships:
  • String 6 (D2) to String 5 (D2): Unison. This provides immense low-end thickness and allows for unison bends or slides.
  • String 5 (D2) to String 4 (D3): Octave. Further reinforces the fundamental D, creating a massive, rich sound.
  • String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect Fourth. A common and stable interval that provides a clear harmonic step.
  • String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A3): Major Second (Whole Step). This is a less common interval for adjacent open guitar strings, creating unique melodic and chordal possibilities that can lead to interesting clusters, suspensions, or a more angular sound.
  • String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect Fourth. Returns to a standard interval relationship, completing the overall D tonality.
• Chord Accessibility & Playing Styles:
  • Drones & Power Chords: The triple D foundation makes droning on D effortless and immensely powerful. Basic power chords (D5, G5, A5) can be easily formed by barring across the lower strings and moving up the fretboard.
  • Open String Chords: Experiment with partial open voicings. For instance, playing the top three strings (G3 A3 D4) forms a Gsus2 chord, which contrasts beautifully with the low D drone. The unique G-A interval also opens doors for non-traditional voicings.
  • Slide Guitar: The open D tonality and multiple unison/octave D strings make this tuning potentially excellent for slide guitar, allowing for broad, resonant glissandos that inherently maintain the D root.
  • Non-Standard Voicings: Due to the unique intervals, particularly the G-A whole step, standard chord shapes will need to be re-imagined. This encourages exploration of new voicings, melodic lines, and textural possibilities that are unavailable in standard tuning.

How to Tune Your Guitar to "triple Dgad"

To achieve the "triple Dgad" tuning, begin from standard E A D G B E tuning and adjust each string according to the instructions below:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 7 semitones to D2. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) is a very significant change from standard. For optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or excessive floppiness, consider using a heavier gauge string for this particular string.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Always tune carefully and gently, using a reliable tuner, to avoid string breakage and ensure proper intonation. Enjoy exploring the unique sonic possibilities and deep resonance of "triple Dgad"!