About the Maudlin's Dreamscape Dmaj9 Tuning

This unique guitar tuning, originally popularized by the band Maudlin of the Well across albums like "Bath," "Leaving Your Body Map," and "Part the Second," offers a truly expansive sonic palette. It's described as a very dreamy tuning, lending itself perfectly to ambient soundscapes and intricate, atmospheric pieces. However, its versatility extends far beyond, proving equally effective for aggressive black/death metal and everything in between, showcasing a remarkable adaptability.

Technical Analysis:

The open string notes for this tuning are D2, F#3, D3, F#4, C#5, E4 (from the thickest 6th string to the thinnest 1st string). This arrangement creates a rich, resonant open chord. Let's break down its components:

• The lowest string is tuned to D2, providing a deep, foundational bass note.
• The open strings collectively form a complex D major seven add nine (Dmaj7add9) chord. The notes D, F#, C#, and E are prominently featured, with multiple octaves of D and F# contributing to its lushness and sustain.
• The intervals between strings are quite distinctive, contributing to the tuning's unique sonic character:
• 6th String (D2) to 5th String (F#3): A wide Major 10th (octave + Major 3rd), establishing an expansive and open foundation.
• 5th String (F#3) to 4th String (D3): An interesting inverted interval, essentially a Major 3rd descending by an octave. This non-linear pitch progression (F#3 is higher than D3) creates a harmonic tension and unique voicings.
• 4th String (D3) to 3rd String (F#4): Another Major 10th, reinforcing the spacious and resonant qualities.
• 3rd String (F#4) to 2nd String (C#5): A clear Perfect 5th, offering a stable and melodically pleasing jump.
• 2nd String (C#5) to 1st String (E4): Another inverted interval, a Major 6th descending by an octave. This further contributes to the unconventional voicings and potential for surprising melodic lines.

This tuning's wide intervals and the inherent Dmaj7add9 voicing make it exceptionally versatile for:

• Ambient and Dreamy Textures: The open chord resonates with a beautiful complexity, making it ideal for creating washes of sound, atmospheric pads, and ethereal soundscapes.
• Harmonic Complexity: The non-standard intervals between strings naturally lead to unique chord shapes and voicings that are challenging to achieve in standard tuning, inviting fresh harmonic exploration.
• Melodic Exploration: While the open strings already form a rich Dmaj7add9, the arrangement facilitates interesting melodic runs and arpeggios that can seamlessly cross multiple strings. Simple fingerings often yield surprisingly sophisticated harmonies.
• Heavy Riffing: Despite its dreamy qualities, the low D string and the general spread of notes can also be utilized for powerful, resonant riffs, especially with a focus on power chords or open harmonies built around the D and F# notes. Barre chords will also take on new, full voicings.

Chords that become easily accessible include various D major voicings, as well as extensions and altered chords that naturally fall under the fingers due to the open Dmaj7add9 structure. Experimentation with single-finger barring or simple two-finger shapes will reveal a wealth of new sounds and creative possibilities.

Tuning Notes:

Here are the target notes for each string in Maudlin's Dreamscape Dmaj9 Tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: F#3
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: F#4
• 2nd String: C#5
• 1st String: E4

How to Tune:

Follow these instructions carefully to achieve the Maudlin's Dreamscape Dmaj9 Tuning. It's recommended to start from standard EADGBe tuning.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. (From Standard E2)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3. (From Standard A2)
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3. (From Standard D3)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4. (From Standard G3)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 2 semitones to C#5. (From Standard B3)
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4. (From Standard E4)

Please note that for any tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised to maintain optimal playability and string tension. This specific tuning, however, remains within a safe range for standard gauge strings.