Tuning Analysis: Polvo Baritone Drop D

This is a profoundly low and unconventional tuning, clearly designed for a "baritone" instrument to achieve immense depth and unique sonic textures, as suggested by its original description "downtuned to play on my "baritone"". The chosen notes create a dense, often dissonant soundscape, characteristic of experimental rock and metal genres, or perhaps the post-rock and noise-rock influences often associated with bands like Polvo. The tuning's extreme downtuning across most strings means it will deliver a heavy, resonant growl, pushing the boundaries of what a standard guitar can achieve without heavier gauge strings.

Technical Observations:

• The two lowest strings (6th and 5th) are tuned to a unison D2, providing an incredibly thick and foundational bass response. This unison offers a massive root note for power chords and drones.
• The interval from the 5th string (D2) to the 4th string (F#3) is a Major Tenth (or Major Third, if ignoring the octave), providing a strong major tonality within the lowest cluster of notes.
• From the 4th string (F#3) to the 3rd string (C#4) is a Perfect Fifth, a very stable and powerful interval, ideal for creating strong power chord voicings with just two fingers.
• The 3rd string (C#4) to the 2nd string (D#4) forms a Major Second, adding a close, slightly dissonant or clustered quality in the mid-range.
• Uniquely, the 1st string (B3) is tuned lower than the 2nd string (D#4). This descending minor third interval (D#4 to B3) creates an inverted melodic possibility on the higher strings, allowing for interesting counter-melodies or open string voicings where the highest string sits below its neighbor.

Open Chords and Voicings:

Strumming all open strings (D2 D2 F#3 C#4 D#4 B3) results in a dense, dissonant cluster. The notes D, F#, C#, D#, B, when arranged, form something akin to a D major chord with added dissonances (B is a M6, C# is a M7, D# is an A2/m3 above C#). This tuning is not designed for traditional open major or minor chords, but rather for:

• Massive Power Chords: The unison D2s on the bottom two strings make for incredibly thick and resonant root notes. Simply barring across the 6th and 5th strings at any fret will create a powerful unison. Combining the 6th and 5th strings with the 4th (F#) and 3rd (C#) strings allows for heavy, low-end chord voicings. For example, a two-finger D5 (0-0-x-x-x-x) provides immense low end.
• Drone and Ambient Textures: The low, resonant nature and the specific intervals lend themselves well to droning and sustained notes, especially on the D2s. The higher strings can then add melodic or harmonic complexity over this deep foundation.
• Experimental and Dissonant Voicings: The non-standard intervals, particularly the inverted highest strings, encourage exploration of unique voicings and dissonances. It's excellent for creating rich, complex soundscapes that defy conventional harmony.
• Riff-centric Play: The low tunings and strong perfect fifth on the 4th and 3rd strings (F#3 to C#4) make it well-suited for heavy, driving riffs where power and thickness are paramount.

How to Tune Your Guitar:

Given the significant pitch changes across most strings, particularly tuning down more than 4 semitones, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage or poor tone. Proceed with caution, especially when tuning down significantly.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. (Minor adjustment, likely safe for standard gauges).
• 5th String (A): Tune down 7 semitones to D2. (Significant drop, a heavier gauge string is advised).
• 4th String (D): Tune down 8 semitones to F#3. (Extreme drop as per instructions, a heavier gauge string is advised).
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 6 semitones to C#4. (Significant drop as per instructions, a heavier gauge string is advised).
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 8 semitones to D#4. (Extreme drop as per instructions, a heavier gauge string is advised).
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. (Significant drop, a heavier gauge string is advised).

Here are the notes for each string in this tuning:

6th String: D2

5th String: D2

4th String: F#3

3rd String: C#4

2nd String: D#4

1st String: B3