Verbal Analysis

This 8-string guitar tuning, initially dubbed 'g6/9 for 8 string,' boasts a profoundly heavy and resonant sound, as described by its creator. The choice of D-G-D as the lowest three strings immediately sets a dark and powerful tone, favored for its 'brutal' sonic impact over a standard low E-A configuration. This tuning leverages the extended range of an 8-string instrument to create a vast soundscape, from rumbling lows to shimmering highs.

The open strings offer a rich, complex harmony. The abundance of D and G notes across octaves creates a dense, ringing quality perfect for open-string riffs and drones. Players will find it exceptionally easy to create powerful, resonant chords, particularly D power chords, by simply strumming the lower strings. The upper register, with G-B-E, hints at brighter, more melodic possibilities, bringing in elements of G major harmony and adding a lovely sparkle.

Technical Analysis

The full open tuning from lowest to highest string is D1-G1-D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4.

• The tuning prominently features the notes D, G, A, B, and E.
• There's a strong D root and a perfect fifth (A) present across multiple octaves, making D power chords (D-A-D) exceptionally accessible and resonant.
• The lower D-G-D structure provides a D power chord with a suspended 4th (G) on the second string, creating a very full, heavy sound ideal for modern metal and progressive genres.
• The upper strings, G3-B3-E4, reveal a G major triad (G-B) and an E note, which is the major 6th above G, or a major 2nd (9th) above D.
• Combining all open notes (D, G, A, B, E), the tuning can be interpreted as a rich Dsus4(add9)(add13) chord. Alternatively, from a G perspective, it contains the notes for a G6/9 chord (G-B-D-E-A), validating the tuning's aspirational name, even if the root G isn't the lowest note.
• The perfect 4ths and 5ths between many strings allow for easy drone notes and wide intervals, offering a very expansive harmonic palette.
• This tuning is particularly well-suited for heavy riffing, open-string arpeggios, and creating dense harmonic textures. The G-B interval on strings 3 and 2 provides a major third, opening up possibilities for major key harmonies that can be contrasted with the darker lower strings.

Tuning Notes

Here are the final notes for each string, from the lowest (8th) to the highest (1st):

• String 8: D1
• String 7: G1
• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments to the lowest strings. Please exercise caution, especially with strings tuned down by 4 semitones, as this can affect string tension and intonation. For tunings exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different gauge string is often advised.

• String 8 (Lowest String): Tune down 4 semitones from F1 to D1. (Significant drop; monitor string tension.)
• String 7: Tune down 4 semitones from B1 to G1. (Significant drop; monitor string tension.)
• String 6: Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• String 5: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2 to A2.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3 to G3.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B3 to B3.
• String 1 (Highest String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.