This tuning is identified as "Open D# Major," which is a more accurate description given the open string notes. The original description states it is for an "original song."

Verbal Analysis

Open D# Major tuning presents a bright and resonant sound, perfect for slide guitar, blues, and folk styles that benefit from a full, ringing major chord when strumming all open strings. This tuning makes it incredibly easy to play D# Major chords with minimal effort, and by simply barring across a single fret, you can achieve other major chords across the fretboard. The high-pitched nature of many of the strings (as indicated by the octave numbers in the target notes) suggests a shimmering, almost mandolin-like quality, or perhaps an intention for a particular high-register sound, potentially even on an instrument like a tenor guitar or requiring very light strings on a standard guitar.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are D#3, A#3, D4#, G3, A4#, D5#. When arranged from lowest to highest pitch (D#3, G3, A#3, D#4, A#4, D5#), these notes form a D# Major chord (D#, G, A#) across multiple octaves. The intervals relative to the root D# are: Root (D#), Major 3rd (G), Perfect 5th (A#), Octave (D#), Octave + Perfect 5th (A#), Double Octave (D#). This full complement of D# Major triad notes makes it a true "open" major tuning. The consistent presence of D# and A# across the strings creates a rich, harmonically stable foundation, ideal for drone notes and melodic exploration. The significant jumps in octave for most strings (from typical standard tuning pitches) could imply a specific instrument setup or a high-tension string requirement for standard scale length guitars, if the listed target notes are to be precisely achieved.

Chordal Opportunities

• Open D# Major: Strumming all open strings will produce a full D# Major chord, making it an excellent tuning for beginning slide players or for easily creating a strong harmonic foundation.
• Barre Chords: By placing a finger across all six strings at any given fret, you can easily play other major chords. For example, a barre at the 1st fret will yield an E Major chord, the 2nd fret an F Major chord, and so on.
• Two-Finger Chords: Due to the strong D# Major foundation, many common chord shapes will be altered, but new, often simpler, two- or three-finger chord voicings will emerge, particularly for dominant 7th and minor chords related to D#.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

Important Note on Octaves: The target notes specified in this tuning's definition are generally one octave higher than what a direct semitone adjustment from standard guitar tuning (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4) would yield for most strings (excluding the G string). Achieving these specific higher octaves (e.g., D3# from a standard E2 string, or D5# from a standard E4 string) will require extremely light gauge strings, or this tuning may be intended for a shorter scale length or specialized instrument. Proceed with caution and consider string tension carefully if aiming for the exact specified octaves on a standard guitar.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#. Target Note: D3#. (Standard E2 down 1 semitone results in D#2. To reach D3# from E2, a significant pitch increase of 11 semitones is implied.)
• String 5 (A): Tune up 1 semitones to A#. Target Note: A3#. (Standard A2 up 1 semitone results in A#2. To reach A3# from A2, a significant pitch increase of 11 semitones is implied.)
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitones to D#. Target Note: D4#. (Standard D3 up 1 semitone results in D#3. To reach D4# from D3, a significant pitch increase of 11 semitones is implied.)
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Target Note: G3. (This matches standard G3.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#. Target Note: A4#. (Standard B3 down 1 semitone results in A#3. To reach A4# from B3, a significant pitch increase of 11 semitones is implied.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#. Target Note: D5#. (Standard E4 down 1 semitone results in D#4. To reach D5# from E4, a significant pitch increase of 11 semitones is implied.)

As a general guideline, tuning adjustments beyond 4 semitones up or down from standard pitch often require a change in string gauge to maintain proper tension and prevent damage to your instrument or strings. While individual semitone changes here are small, the implied octave shifts for most strings are substantial, necessitating careful consideration of string gauge.

String 6: D3#

String 5: A3#

String 4: D4#

String 3: G3

String 2: A4#

String 1: D5#