DGDGBD Guitar Tuner
DGDGBD Octave Slack Key - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
This tuning is named "Octave slack key" and is described as a Taro Patch style tuning, specifically one octave down. It aims to create a deeply resonant and rich sound characteristic of Hawaiian slack key music, offering a relaxed and soulful quality.
Technical Analysis of the Described Tuning (D1-G1-D2-G2-B2-D3):
The target notes for this tuning, from low to high, are D1-G1-D2-G2-B2-D3. This configuration fundamentally establishes an Open G Major chord (G-B-D) with a dominant D bass note. When strummed open, it produces a rich G Major harmony with the root (G), third (B), and fifth (D) distributed across the strings, underpinned by the very low D1 and G1 notes. This voicing, effectively a G Major chord with a D in the bass (G/D), creates a full, expansive sound.
The extremely low pitches, particularly D1 and G1, contribute to a powerful and resonant foundation, ideal for atmospheric and open-string playing. The octave doubling of D and G notes adds depth and shimmer. Players will find that simple barre chords across the fretboard easily yield harmonious major and minor shapes, often within the key of G. For instance, a barre at the second fret would likely produce an A Major-like sound, while a barre at the fifth fret would facilitate a C Major harmony.
How to Tune (Based on Provided Instructions):
Important Note on String Gauge: All tuning adjustments for this setup involve significant drops in pitch (greater than 4 semitones). It is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set to maintain appropriate tension, prevent buzzing, and achieve optimal tone. Standard gauge strings may feel too loose and potentially break when tuned this low.
- String 6 (Low E): Tune down 9 semitones from E2 to D1.
- String 5 (A): Tune down 9 semitones from A2 to G1.
- String 4 (D): Tune down 7 semitones from D3 to G#2.
- String 3 (G): Tune down 7 semitones from G3 to C#3.
- String 2 (B): Tune down 8 semitones from B3 to D#3.
- String 1 (High E): Tune down 9 semitones from E4 to G#3.
Important Discrepancy Notice:
Please note a significant discrepancy between the tuning notes provided for this "Octave slack key" (D1-G1-D2-G2-B2-D3) and the notes resulting from the "How to Tune" instructions (D1-G1-G#2-C#3-D#3-G#3), which are derived by applying the specified semitone movements from standard guitar tuning. The first two strings match, but the remaining four strings diverge considerably. Users should clarify which specific tuning (the D-G-D-G-B-D tuning or the D-G-G#-C#-D#-G# tuning) is intended for their instrument to avoid confusion or incorrect setup.
Here are the specific notes for each string in the described "Octave slack key" tuning, from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest):
- String 6: D1
- String 5: G1
- String 4: D2
- String 3: G2
- String 2: B2
- String 1: D3
Loading an obscene
amount of Chords
Loading an obscene
amount of Scales
Loading Tuning Map
Loading Tuning Data
Comments - have your say on DGDGBD
Please use the below form to submit a song for DGDGBD that is not already on gtdb.org.
Tuning Map
- Fret
- S7
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- -13
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- -12
- B
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- -11
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- -10
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- -9
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- -8
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- -7
- E
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- -6
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- -5
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- -4
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- -3
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- -2
- A
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- -1
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- 0
- B
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- 1
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- 2
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- 3
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- 4
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- 5
- E
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- 6
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- 7
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- -9
- -9
- -7
- -7
- -8
- -9
© 2026 GTDB