This unique tuning, known as Thurston's Demolished Thoughts Tuning, is famously utilized by Thurston Moore on his "Demolished Thoughts" album. It deviates significantly from standard guitar tuning to create a rich, often dissonant, and highly resonant soundscape, characteristic of his experimental style.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning establishes a prominent D♯ minor (D♯-F-A♯) feel through the interplay of the 6th (D♯), 5th (A♯), and 3rd (F) strings, reinforced by the octave A♯ on the 2nd string. However, the introduction of D on the 4th string and C on the 1st string creates complex and often beautiful dissonances and extended harmonies. The open strings resonate with a dense, atmospheric quality, lending themselves to droning textures, shimmering arpeggios, and percussive strumming that exploits the intervallic relationships. It's not designed for traditional chord shapes but rather for exploring specific sonic clusters and open string voicings that evoke a dreamy, contemplative, yet sometimes unsettling mood.

Technical Analysis

The tuning consists of the notes: D♯3-A♯3-D3-F3-A♯4-C4 (low to high).

• D♯3 (6th string) to A♯3 (5th string): A Perfect 5th (7 semitones), providing a strong foundational interval.
• A♯3 (5th string) to D3 (4th string): An Augmented 3rd (4 semitones). This interval, from A♯ to D, introduces a distinct color and avoids a simple consonant triad.
• D3 (4th string) to F3 (3rd string): A Minor 3rd (3 semitones), contributing to the minor tonality hinted at by D♯ and F.
• F3 (3rd string) to A♯4 (2nd string): An Augmented 4th or Tritone (6 semitones), with the A♯ being an octave higher than the 5th string's A♯. This creates tension and a sense of openness.
• A♯4 (2nd string) to C4 (1st string): A Minor 3rd (3 semitones), adding further harmonic depth.

When strummed open, the combination of D♯3, A♯3, D3, F3, A♯4, and C4 creates a dissonant yet resonant cluster. The D♯, F, and A♯ form a D♯ minor triad. The D natural (a Major 7th above D♯) and C natural (a minor 6th above D♯) provide rich extensions, suggesting a D♯m(maj7) with an added ♭6, or more simply, a complex, layered minor sonority. This tuning is excellent for creating moving drones and atmospheric soundscapes rather than conventional chord progressions. Chords within reach would involve fretting around these open string relationships, focusing on adding color tones or reinforcing existing intervals, rather than trying to force standard chord shapes.

Tuning Notes

Here are the target notes for each string, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st):

• 6th String: D♯3
• 5th String: A♯3
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: F3
• 2nd String: A♯4
• 1st String: C4

How to Tune

To achieve Thurston's Demolished Thoughts Tuning, follow these precise adjustments for each string. The suggested "starting note" is inferred based on the target note and the specified movement.

• 6th String (D♯3): Tune down 1 semitone (from an inferred starting note of E3).
• 5th String (A♯3): Tune up 1 semitone (from an inferred starting note of A3).
• 4th String (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) (from an inferred starting note of D3).
• 3rd String (F3): Tune down 2 semitones (from an inferred starting note of G3).
• 2nd String (A♯4): Tune down 1 semitone (from an inferred starting note of B4).
• 1st String (C4): Tune down 4 semitones (from an inferred starting note of E4).

Important Note on String Gauge: Guitar strings are typically designed for specific tension ranges. While most individual string movements in this tuning are small, the 1st string is tuned down 4 semitones. For tunings that exceed -4 or +4 semitones for any string, it is generally advised to consider a different string gauge to maintain optimal playability and string longevity. This tuning's adjustment for the 1st string is at the threshold, so proceed with care. Always monitor string tension and your guitar's neck relief when making significant tuning changes.