Spruce D# Tuning: An Atmospheric Landscape for Guitar

The "Spruce D#" tuning is a distinctive and atmospheric setup, designed specifically for playing "Blue Spruce by Dragon Tree". This tuning departs significantly from standard EADGBe, crafting a unique sonic palette ideal for intricate and evocative compositions.

Verbal Analysis

With its combination of lowered and raised strings, Spruce D# offers a fascinating blend of drone-like qualities and surprising harmonic possibilities. The deep, resonant D# on the low 6th string provides a powerful foundation, while the raised A# and C strings introduce tension and brightness. The upper D string on the 1st string creates an open, almost suspended quality when paired with the other open notes. This isn't a tuning for casual strumming; it feels purpose-built for specific melodic and harmonic ideas, inviting exploration of non-traditional voicings and textures. Players will find themselves navigating familiar fretboard shapes in entirely new ways, discovering chords and arpeggios that would be impossible or unwieldy in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of Spruce D# are tuned to:

• 6th String: D#3
• 5th String: A#3
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String: D4

Analyzing the intervals from lowest to highest string, we find an intriguing mix:

• D#3 to A#3 (6th to 5th): Tritone (Augmented 4th) – A tense and harmonically rich interval.
• A#3 to D3 (5th to 4th): Diminished 4th – Another distinctive interval, creating unique voice leading opportunities.
• D3 to G3 (4th to 3rd): Perfect 4th – A standard, stable interval.
• G3 to C4 (3rd to 2nd): Perfect 4th – Another standard, stable interval.
• C4 to D4 (2nd to 1st): Major 2nd – A close, melodic interval.

The open string configuration (D# A# D G C D) does not immediately resolve to a common major or minor chord, indicating its specific design. However, the stack of perfect fourths on strings 4, 3, and 2 (D-G-C) provides a basis for quartal harmony, often found in jazz and contemporary music. The repeated D notes on strings 4 and 1, along with the D# on string 6, subtly hint at a D tonal center, possibly with Lydian or Phrygian dominant characteristics due to the D# and A#. This tuning is well-suited for creating ambient textures, drones, and modern compositional approaches.

While traditional open chords are not immediately apparent, the unique intervals facilitate specific voicings. For instance, the D-G-C-D on strings 4-3-2-1 already provides a Dsus4 feel. Barring across certain frets will yield fresh and unexpected chord shapes. For example, a bar at the 4th fret across all strings would yield F# C# F B E F#, creating a rich, dissonant cluster that could be perfect for atmospheric passages.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To set your guitar to Spruce D#, adjust each string from its standard EADGBe tuning as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitone to A#3.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Note: When tuning, always be mindful of string tension. Adjusting strings significantly (more than 4 semitones up or down from standard) may require a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and prevent damage to your guitar or strings. All movements in this particular tuning are within safe limits for standard gauge strings.

The precise tuning for each string in Spruce D# is:

6th String: D#3 (D sharp in the 3rd octave)
5th String: A#3 (A sharp in the 3rd octave)
4th String: D3 (D natural in the 3rd octave)
3rd String: G3 (G natural in the 3rd octave)
2nd String: C4 (C natural in the 4th octave)
1st String: D4 (D natural in the 4th octave)