Phoebe Bridgers' Smoke Signals Tuning: An Ethereal Landscape

The "Smoke Signals Tuning" is a unique and deeply evocative guitar setup, famously employed by Phoebe Bridgers to craft the ethereal and melancholic soundscapes of her acclaimed song "Smoke Signals." This particular tuning moves significantly away from standard guitar conventions, creating an open, resonant, and often haunting sonic palette. It is perfectly suited for intricate fingerpicking, ambient textures, and compositions that benefit from sustained, drone-like qualities.

The altered strings, particularly the low D# and the high D, interact with the sustained standard middle strings (A, D, G) to produce a complex, almost suspended harmony when played open. This setup encourages expressive playing with minimal fretting, allowing rich, ambient textures to emerge. The inherent tension and subtle dissonances within its unique intervals contribute significantly to its distinctive, introspective, and haunting beauty.

Technical Analysis: D# A D G A# D

This tuning is derived from standard EADGBe, with specific alterations to the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings, resulting in the following open note sequence from thickest to thinnest string: D#3 A2 D3 G3 A4# D4.

• The 6th string (Low E) is lowered by 1 semitone to D#3.
• The 5th string (A) remains at its standard pitch of A2.
• The 4th string (D) remains at its standard pitch of D3.
• The 3rd string (G) remains at its standard pitch of G3.
• The 2nd string (B) is lowered by 1 semitone to A4#.
• The 1st string (High E) is lowered by 2 semitones to D4.

The open strings present the notes: A, D, D#, G, A#. When all open strings are strummed, they form a complex harmony. If we consider D# as a tonal center, the notes D#, G, A#, D form a D# Major 7th chord (D# root, G Major 3rd, A# Perfect 5th, D Major 7th). The presence of the A (A2 on the 5th string) creates an interesting tension, being an augmented 4th or diminished 5th relative to the D# root. This unique combination produces a rich, slightly dissonant yet resonant character, providing depth and harmonic intrigue.

The retention of the perfect fourth intervals between the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings (A-D-G) offers a familiar melodic and harmonic anchor, which contrasts beautifully with the significantly altered outer strings. This blend allows for unique voicings that sound both familiar and fresh. The dropped 6th string to D# provides a deep, resonant bass, while the dropped 1st and 2nd strings create specific melodic and harmonic relationships, making it ideal for specific song arrangements rather than generic strumming. This tuning is designed to support drone-like playing and open string arpeggiations, fostering the creation of specific, resonant voicings integral to the song's identity.

Open String Notes for Smoke Signals Tuning

The notes for the "Smoke Signals Tuning" from thickest (6th) to thinnest (1st) string are as follows:

• String 6 (thickest): D3#
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: A4#
• String 1 (thinnest): D4

How to Tune to Smoke Signals Tuning

To achieve the "Smoke Signals Tuning" from standard EADGBe, follow these precise movements for each string:

• String 6 (E): Tune down 1 semitone to D3#.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (A2).
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (D3).
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (G3).
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A4#.
• String 1 (E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

All string movements for this tuning are relatively minor (tuning down by a maximum of 2 semitones), making them generally safe for standard string gauges without the need for specialized strings. Always use a reliable tuner and exercise caution when adjusting string tension.