Verbal & Technical Analysis: Zelda's Ocarina Tuning

Inspired by the iconic five notes of Zelda's ocarina from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, this unique guitar tuning reimagines those melodies on a six-string instrument. It creates a resonant and ethereal soundscape, perfect for atmospheric pieces, fingerstyle arrangements, or even experimental music that aims for that nostalgic, otherworldly feel.

Technically, the open strings are tuned to D2-F2-A2-A3-B3-D4. This arrangement primarily forms a D minor chord (D-F-A) with additional color notes. The presence of the B3 (a major sixth above D) strongly suggests a Dorian mode quality or a D minor add6 sonority. Playing all open strings together produces a full, resonant D minor add6 chord, which is surprisingly rich and evocative. The octave relationships (D2-D4 and A2-A3) create a sense of depth and sustain across the fretboard.

Chords and Playability:

• Open Chords: The most immediate and striking open chord is a beautiful D minor add6 (D-F-A-A-B-D). This gives the tuning its signature melancholic yet hopeful character. Other simple shapes can quickly yield variations of D minor, F major (F-A-D, by just playing strings 5, 4, 1), or even some suspended chords due to the B note.
• Accessible Shapes: Due to the D-F-A base, moving simple two or three-finger shapes up the neck can easily produce chords related to D minor. For example, barring across certain frets while lifting a finger or two will create distinct intervallic relationships that can be transposed. The open A2-A3 and D2-D4 octaves make power chords and resonant drone notes very accessible, especially on the lower and higher strings. The tuning lends itself well to melodic playing where the open strings can act as sympathetic drones, providing a rich backdrop to lead lines.
• Unique Voicings: This tuning encourages exploration beyond standard chord shapes. Because of the non-standard intervals, familiar chord shapes will sound completely different, opening up new harmonic possibilities inspired by the Ocarina's melodic nature. It's an excellent tuning for creating unique arpeggios and spacious voicings.

How to Tune:

Please be mindful of your string gauges when making significant tuning changes. Tuning down several semitones can cause strings to feel slacker, while tuning up increases tension. For changes where the absolute value of semitones exceeds 4 or is 4 or more, consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage.

• String 6 (Low E to D2): Tune down 2 semitones from standard E to D2.
• String 5 (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones from standard A to F2. Caution: This is a significant drop; heavier gauge strings may be advised.
• String 4 (D to A2): Tune down 5 semitones from standard D to A2. Caution: This is a significant drop; heavier gauge strings may be advised.
• String 3 (G to A3): Tune up 2 semitones from standard G to A3.
• String 2 (B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard B.
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones from standard E to D4.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned down 2 semitones to D2, providing a deep, resonant root note for the tuning.

String 5 (A): Tuned down 4 semitones to F2, giving the minor third of the D minor chord, adding to the melancholic feel.

String 4 (D): Tuned down 5 semitones to A2, providing the perfect fifth of the D minor chord, anchoring the harmony.

String 3 (G): Tuned up 2 semitones to A3, an octave higher than String 4, adding harmonic depth and shimmer.

String 2 (B): Remains at its standard pitch of B3, introducing a major sixth (B is a major sixth above D), contributing to the Dorian quality or D minor add6 voicing.

String 1 (High E): Tuned down 2 semitones to D4, completing the D minor add6 voicing an octave higher and providing a bright upper register.