The "Dandelion Tuning" is described by its creator as being inspired by a Jacob Collier video and evoking a "very Nick Drake sounding" vibe. This assessment is highly accurate. It's a deeply resonant and introspective tuning that immediately conjures a melancholic, yet beautiful, soundscape ideal for fingerstyle playing, intricate arpeggios, and expressive chord voicings. The overall mood is one of contemplative depth, allowing for rich harmonic textures to emerge with minimal effort.

Technical Analysis

The open strings present the notes D2, F2, A#3, F3, C4, D4. When analyzed from the lowest D (String 6) as the root, these notes form a D minor seven flat five (Dm7b5) chord: D (root), F (minor third), A# (augmented fourth/diminished fifth), C (minor seventh). The F3 and D4 notes provide octave doublings, creating a rich, full voicing of this chord. This chord type is inherently moody and often found in jazz and melancholic folk music, perfectly aligning with the "Nick Drake" feel mentioned.

The intervallic structure provides a distinct harmonic character, lending itself to compositions that explore tension and release. The open Dm7b5 chord makes it easy to imply a complex harmony without fretting, allowing the player to focus on melodic lines or rhythmic patterns. This tuning would shine in pieces requiring a darker, more sophisticated harmonic palette, offering surprising voicings even with simple fingerings. Due to the significant down-tuning, especially on the lower strings, the instrument will likely exhibit increased sustain and a looser string feel, which can be advantageous for expressive bending and vibrato.

How to Tune

To achieve the Dandelion Tuning, you will be adjusting several strings significantly from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the following movements for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones to A#3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Tuning Note: When tuning strings significantly (generally more than 4 semitones up or down, or exceeding -4 semitones), it is often advisable to consider using a different gauge string to maintain optimal tension and prevent potential damage to your guitar or strings. Strings 5 and 4 are tuned down by 4 semitones, which is right at the threshold where a lighter gauge might be beneficial for playability, though standard strings should generally be fine for these adjustments.

String 6 (Lowest String): D2

String 5: F2

String 4: A#3

String 3: F3

String 2: C4

String 1 (Highest String): D4