The DEAD DAD Tuning: A Deep Dive

The "DEAD DAD" tuning lives up to its enigmatic name, delivering a sound that is both heavy and haunting. The original description, "Ded :PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP..........." hints at a dark, almost playful irreverence, and the tuning itself certainly pushes the boundaries of conventional guitar voicings.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning evokes a sense of immense depth and power, characterized by a resonant, droning quality that makes it ideal for genres like heavy metal, doom, grunge, or experimental soundscapes. The low end is particularly thick, providing a bedrock for thunderous riffs and sustained atmospheric passages. There's an underlying tension in the open strings, preventing it from sounding merely muddy, instead giving it a brooding, intense character. It encourages open-string manipulation and percussive playing due to its wide intervals and repeated notes, inviting a raw and expressive approach.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2 E2 D3 D3 A3 D4. Breaking this down, we observe a strong D root, amplified by the multiple D notes across the strings (D2, D3, D3, D4) and a prominent A3 (the perfect fifth). However, the standout feature is the E2 on the 5th string. This E, a major 2nd (or 9th) from the root D, creates a unique open voicing that can be identified as a Dadd9 (no 3rd) or D2 (no 3rd) chord. The immediate juxtaposition of D2 (6th string) and E2 (5th string) at the lowest end produces a powerful, slightly dissonant interval that contributes significantly to the tuning's heavy, sustained character.

The structure lends itself to easy access of powerful intervals and chords:

• Open D Voicings: The abundance of D's and the A string make open D chords and power chords incredibly resonant and easily accessible. Muting the 5th string (E2) would yield a pure D5 or D major/minor power chord.
• Droning Potential: The repeated D notes across different octaves (D2, D3, D3, D4) create a natural drone effect, perfect for extended notes and atmospheric textures. The A3 further reinforces the tonal center, making it easy to create impactful, sustained sounds.
• Unique Low-End Voicings: The D2-E2 interval at the bottom offers distinctive low-end voicings that can sound both massive and unsettling. Experimenting with two-finger chords, especially on the lower strings, will yield interesting results due to the non-standard intervals.
• Accessible Chords: While not a standard open major/minor chord, shifting patterns based on the D root and A fifth will be intuitive. Any chord shapes that emphasize the D root and A fifth will feel natural, with the E string providing an additional layer of harmonic tension or colour. The tuning encourages exploration of simple root-fifth shapes, allowing the open strings to fill out the harmony.

Tuning Notes and 'How to Tune' Guide

Here are the target notes for each string in the DEAD DAD tuning. This guide assumes you are starting from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down to D2
• String 5 (A): Tune down to E2
• String 4 (D): Tune to D3
• String 3 (G): Tune down to D3
• String 2 (B): Tune down to A3
• String 1 (High E): Tune down to D4

How to Tune from Standard E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E)

• String 6 (Low E): From its standard E2 pitch, Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): From its standard A2 pitch, Tune down 5 semitones to E2. Caution: This is a significant drop. For optimal tension and tone, especially if you play aggressively, consider using a heavier gauge string for this position.
• String 4 (D): From its standard D3 pitch, Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at standard pitch.
• String 3 (G): From its standard G3 pitch, Tune down 5 semitones to D3. Caution: This is a significant drop. For optimal tension and tone, especially if you play aggressively, consider using a heavier gauge string for this position.
• String 2 (B): From its standard B3 pitch, Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): From its standard E4 pitch, Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

General Recommendation: For any string requiring a movement of 4 or more semitones (either up or down) from its standard pitch, it is generally advisable to consider using a different gauge string. This helps to maintain proper string tension, intonation, and extends string life, especially for tunings played regularly.