The "Decade Tuning" is a distinctive and highly unconventional guitar tuning, famously utilized by the virtuoso Ichika Nito. It offers a sonic landscape far removed from standard EADGBe, creating a unique resonance and facilitating specific harmonic textures crucial to Nito's intricate playing style.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is characterized by a dramatic reshaping of the guitar's sonic profile, featuring both significant drops and raises in string tension. The lowest three strings are all tuned down, creating a deep, resonant foundation that leans towards a minor or suspended tonality. The 5th string, in particular, undergoes a substantial drop of two and a half steps, bringing it to an E, which creates interesting wide intervals with the surrounding strings. Conversely, the 3rd and 2nd strings are tuned up, adding brightness and tension to the middle register. The highest E string remains standard, serving as a familiar anchor point. The overall feel is one of openness and complexity, ideal for intricate fingerstyle passages, ambient textures, and creating rich, unexpected chord voicings.

Technical Analysis

The "Decade Tuning" from low to high is D2 E2 C3 A3 D4 E4. This can be compared to standard E tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) to highlight its unique intervals:

• Low End: The 6th string is dropped a whole step from E to D (D2), similar to Drop D. The 5th string is dropped two and a half steps from A to E (E2), placing it a Perfect 4th below its standard pitch. The 4th string is dropped a whole step from D to C (C3). This creates an open D E C sequence on the lowest three strings.
• High End: The 3rd string is raised a whole step from G to A (A3). The 2nd string is raised one and a half steps from B to D (D4). The 1st string remains at E (E4). This results in an A D E sequence on the higher three strings.
• Open Voicing: The full open string voicing is D2 E2 C3 A3 D4 E4. This complex array of notes contains D, E, C, and A. It can be interpreted in various ways, such as a Dsus2 chord (D-A-E) with an added b7 (C) and an octave D, or as an A minor 7 (A-C-E-G) with an added D, and a low D bass (though missing the G). The large interval drops on the lower strings, combined with the raises on the middle strings, create a harmonically rich and often dissonant foundation that lends itself to modern, experimental guitar work.

Accessible Chords & Shapes

Due to the unique structure of "Decade Tuning", several interesting open chords and voicings become readily available:

• Open D5 Power Chord: Strings 6, 3, and 2 provide D2, A3, and D4 respectively, forming a powerful open D5 chord. This creates a strong, resonant foundation.
• A Minor Feel: By playing strings 5, 4, and 3 (E2, C3, A3), one can achieve an A minor triad, albeit with the E note as the lowest tone. This provides a minor flavor within the tuning.
• Unique Arpeggios: The wide and sometimes dissonant intervals between adjacent strings encourage the exploration of unique arpeggiated patterns and melodic lines that would be difficult or impossible in standard tuning.
• Single-Finger Voicings: Barreing across specific frets can yield interesting clusters. For instance, a barre at the 2nd fret would produce E F D B E F (from low to high), offering a unique harmonic landscape.

Open String Notes

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to D2

String 5 (A): Tuned to E2

String 4 (D): Tuned to C3

String 3 (G): Tuned to A3

String 2 (B): Tuned to D4

String 1 (High E): Tuned to E4

How to Tune Your Guitar to Decade Tuning

Please note: Extreme changes in string tension can affect your guitar's neck. Proceed with caution and consider a professional setup for significant tuning changes.

• String 6 (E Standard): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D. This is a common drop D adjustment and generally safe for standard gauge strings.
• String 5 (A Standard): Tune down 5 semitones from A to E. This is a very significant drop. For optimal playability and to prevent string floppiness or potential breakage if returning to standard often, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this string.
• String 4 (D Standard): Tune down 2 semitones from D to C. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard gauge strings.
• String 3 (G Standard): Tune up 2 semitones from G to A. This is a moderate increase in tension. Standard gauge strings should be fine, but always tune up slowly.
• String 2 (B Standard): Tune up 3 semitones from B to D. This is a noticeable increase in tension. Standard gauge strings are generally acceptable, but extra care should be taken to tune up gradually.
• String 1 (High E Standard): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).