Verbal & Technical Analysis

The "DARK ETHERAL (DORIAN)" tuning, as its name suggests, is crafted for a deep, atmospheric, and modal soundscape. The creator's description points to a balance between practicality and the evocative qualities of Dorian and Lydian modes. This isn't a tuning designed for conventional open chords, but rather to inspire unique voicings, melodic lines, and textural explorations.

Technically, the open strings are tuned to D#3, A#3, C3, F3, C4, C#5 (from low to high). This arrangement is highly unconventional, notably featuring a non-monotonic pitch progression where the 4th string (C3) is lower in pitch than the 5th string (A#3). This breaks traditional guitar patterns and forces a fresh approach to the fretboard.

The intervals between adjacent strings are:

• String 6 (D#3) to String 5 (A#3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 5 (A#3) to String 4 (C3): Minor 3rd down (or a very large ascending interval, -10 semitones for ascending pitch)
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (C4): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 2 (C4) to String 1 (C#5): Octave + Minor 2nd (13 semitones)

The presence of multiple Perfect 5ths (strings 6-5, 3-2) makes power chords easily accessible in specific positions. The C-F-C cluster on strings 4, 3, and 2 suggests a C suspended 4th or F major without the 3rd, offering a stable yet open harmonic foundation. The striking Octave + Minor 2nd interval between the 2nd and 1st strings (C4 to C#5) creates a strong dissonance that can be utilized for tension, leading tones, or specific modal colors.

While a full open chord strum will be complex and dissonant (D# A# C F C C#), the tuning hints at a dominant C minor or C Phrygian quality (C-D#-F-A#-C-C#). Players may find it conducive to exploring D# Dorian, C Dorian, or F Lydian sounds, leveraging the unique intervallic relationships to craft unconventional melodies and harmonies. This tuning excels in creating ambient soundscapes, progressive textures, and experimental modal compositions rather than traditional chord progressions.

How to Tune

To achieve the "DARK ETHERAL (DORIAN)" tuning, adjust your guitar from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) as follows. All movements are within safe limits for standard gauge strings, meaning a change in string gauge is not typically required.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note for this string is D#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is A#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones. The target note for this string is C3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones. The target note for this string is F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is C4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note for this string is C#5.