About the Goo Goo Dolls D# Slide Tuning (D#A#D#G#D#D#)

This is a distinctive and highly atmospheric tuning, famously employed by the Goo Goo Dolls for their hit song "Slide" from the album Dizzy Up The Girl. It significantly departs from standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), creating an open, resonant soundscape perfect for slide guitar techniques and rich, sustained chords.

Verbal Analysis:

The "Goo Goo Dolls D# Slide Tuning" is characterized by a dominant D# presence across multiple strings, particularly the lowest, fourth, and the top two highest strings. This creates a powerful, almost drone-like tonal center that rings out beautifully. The open strings resonate with a full, slightly melancholic quality, leaning towards a suspended chord. The identical D# notes on the first and second strings are a hallmark feature, providing a natural unison effect that adds thickness and sustain, ideal for soaring slide melodies or lush, ringing chords. It's a tuning that encourages exploration beyond traditional chord shapes, inviting players to discover new harmonic possibilities.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning notes are, from lowest to highest string: D#3, A#3, D#4, G#4, D#5, D#5.

• 6th String (D#3): The foundational root note.
• 5th String (A#3): A perfect fifth (P5) above the root (D#), providing harmonic stability.
• 4th String (D#4): An octave (P8) above the 6th string, reinforcing the D# tonic.
• 3rd String (G#4): A perfect fourth (P4) above the root (D#), introducing a suspended quality.
• 2nd String (D#5): An octave (P8) above the 4th string and two octaves above the 6th string, another strong D# reinforcement.
• 1st String (D#5): A unison (P8) with the 2nd string, creating a thick, resonant effect.

This configuration forms an open D#sus4 chord (D#-G#-A#) with a heavy emphasis on the root D# across three octaves and a doubled highest note. The intervals are Root (D#), P5 (A#), P8 (D#), P4 (G#), P8 (D#), P8 (D#). The open tuning rings as a D#sus4.

Chordal Possibilities:

• Open Chord: The open strings themselves form a rich D#sus4 chord. Strumming all open strings yields a full, resonant D# suspended sound.
• Barre Chords: By simply barring across any single fret, you can effortlessly transpose the D#sus4 shape up or down the neck. For instance, barring at the 1st fret gives you Esus4, at the 3rd fret, F#sus4, and so on. This makes it very easy to create a progression of suspended chords.
• Power Chords: The lowest three strings (D#3, A#3, D#4) naturally form a D#5 power chord. This structure can be moved up the neck for robust rock voicings.
• Slide Potential: The unison D#s on the top two strings are exceptionally well-suited for slide guitar, allowing for sustained, harmonically rich lead lines and glissandos. The open nature of the tuning means that even simple slide movements can create complex, full-bodied sounds.
• Unique Voicings: Due to the non-standard intervals, traditional chord shapes are mostly discarded. This encourages players to experiment with two or three-finger voicings, often incorporating open strings for drones and sympathetic resonance. The G# (P4) and A# (P5) relationships with the D# root offer interesting melodic and harmonic counterpoints within a D# tonal framework.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Goo Goo Dolls D# Slide Tuning

To achieve the unique D#A#D#G#D#D# tuning used by the Goo Goo Dolls, follow these instructions carefully. Always tune slowly and precisely, especially when increasing string tension.

• 6th String (Low E) to D#3: Tune down 1 semitone. Start from standard E3 and lower the pitch to D#3.
• 5th String (A) to A#3: Tune up 1 semitone. Start from standard A3 and raise the pitch to A#3.
• 4th String (D) to D#4: Tune up 1 semitone. Start from standard D4 and raise the pitch to D#4.
• 3rd String (G) to G#4: Tune up 1 semitone. Start from standard G4 and raise the pitch to G#4.
• 2nd String (B) to D#5: Tune up 4 semitones. Start from standard B4 and raise the pitch to D#5.
  Important Note: Tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases string tension. If your current string gauge is light, consider using a heavier gauge for this string to prevent breakage and ensure stable tuning.
• 1st String (High E) to D#5: Tune down 1 semitone. Start from standard E5 and lower the pitch to D#5.

General Gauge Advice: When tuning a string up by 4 semitones or more, or down by 4 semitones or more (like a full octave for instance), it is generally advisable to consider a different string gauge to maintain proper tension, intonation, and string longevity. For this tuning, particular attention should be paid to the 2nd string (B to D#).