The Drop Para Mexer Tuning

This is a highly distinctive and complex guitar tuning, popularized by the virtuoso lead guitarist Tosin Abasi of Animals As Leaders for their song 'Para Mexer.' As the name suggests, it involves significant 'dropping' of string pitches across the board, moving far from the standard EADGBe tuning.

Verbal Analysis

The "Drop Para Mexer" tuning is characterized by a very wide intervallic spread and unexpected harmonic relationships between strings, moving away from conventional guitar voicings. The overall sound leans towards an enigmatic and angular feel, perfectly suited for modern progressive and technical music. The lower strings offer a deep, somewhat dissonant foundation, while the higher strings provide a more open and melodious counterpoint. It's a tuning that demands precise playing and a deep understanding of harmony to truly unlock its potential. Its unusual structure likely facilitates specific arpeggios, riffs, and chord voicings that would be challenging or impossible to execute in standard tuning, offering Tosin Abasi a unique sonic palette.

Technical Analysis

The tuning from low to high is D2-F2-A#3-F3-A3-D4. Analysing the intervals between open strings:

• The 6th string (D2) and 5th string (F2) form a minor third interval (+3 semitones).
• The 5th string (F2) and 4th string (A#3) exhibit a large leap of a Major Tenth (+17 semitones, or an octave plus a major third), creating a vast harmonic space between these two strings. This is a highly unconventional and striking intervallic jump.
• The 4th string (A#3) and 3rd string (F3) are tuned a perfect fourth apart, with the 3rd string being lower (-5 semitones relative to the 4th).
• The 3rd string (F3) and 2nd string (A3) form a major third interval (+4 semitones).
• The 2nd string (A3) and 1st string (D4) form a perfect fourth interval (+5 semitones).

This configuration is far removed from standard fourths and thirds tuning, indicating a deliberate design for specific melodic and harmonic motifs that are characteristic of Animals As Leaders' intricate compositions.

Open Chords and Harmonic Possibilities

While not designed for typical open major or minor chords, this tuning offers unique harmonic potential:

• The lowest three strings (D2-F2-A#3) form a D augmented triad (D-F-A#), providing an inherently tense and dissonant quality when played open. This augmented sonority is a distinctive feature, immediately signaling a departure from traditional harmony.
• The upper three strings (F3-A3-D4) resemble an F major triad with an added 6th (F6 chord), or a D minor 7th chord (D-F-A-C) without the C, inverted. This combination offers a contrasting, more open and melodious sound compared to the lower strings, creating interesting textural possibilities.
• The full open tuning (D-F-A#-F-A-D) encompasses the notes D, F, A, and A#. This complex voicing can be interpreted as a D augmented triad (D-F-A#) with an added perfect fifth (A) or a D minor triad (D-F-A) with an augmented fifth (A#). It’s highly characteristic for a progressive, polytonal sound.
• Due to the highly disparate intervals, especially the vast jump between the 5th and 4th strings, standard chord shapes are largely impractical. Instead, the tuning facilitates specific arpeggiated figures and intervallic stretches that are central to Tosin Abasi's virtuosic style. Chords would likely be formed by barring or using specific fingerings to create clusters and extended voicings unique to this tuning.

Tuning Notes

String 6 (low E): D2
String 5 (A): F2
String 4 (D): A#3
String 3 (G): F3
String 2 (B): A3
String 1 (high E): D4

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Drop Para Mexer" tuning, you will need to adjust each string from standard EADGBe as follows. Always use a reliable tuner and tune carefully, ensuring you don't over-tighten strings when tuning up or let them become too slack when tuning down.

• String 6 (Low E to D2): Tune down 2 semitones. This brings your lowest E string down to D2.
• String 5 (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones. This transforms your A string to F2. Exercise caution when lowering pitch by this much, as it can significantly reduce string tension and affect playability.
• String 4 (D to A#3): Tune down 4 semitones. Your D string will become A#3 (B-flat 3). This is another substantial drop; take care during tuning.
• String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones. Your G string will become F3.
• String 2 (B to A3): Tune down 2 semitones. Your B string will become A3.
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones. Your highest E string will become D4.

Note on String Gauge: Strings 5 and 4 are tuned down by 4 semitones. While this is at the threshold rather than exceeding the advised limit for changing string gauge, such a drop can noticeably decrease string tension and intonation accuracy for some players. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider experimenting with a heavier string gauge for these specific strings to maintain optimal feel and tone.