The 'd9 Octave D' Tuning: Mean, Meaty, and Full of Character

The 'd9 Octave D' tuning, as its name suggests, is a rich and complex modification of a traditional D9 lap steel tuning. The original lap steel tuning of ADF#ACE provided a clear D9 chord, but this iteration takes it to a new level. The intention, as described, is to create a "meaner and meatier" sound, perfect for blues and rock genres, by introducing a deep low note and an interesting harmonic structure.

While the description mentions "putting a low D on the bottom," the tuning ultimately places a D3# (Eb3) on the 6th string, immediately followed by a D3 on the 5th string. This creates a compelling and somewhat tense foundation with a minor second interval in the bass, giving it a distinctive growl and a dark, powerful character. This tension is excellent for blues where unexpected harmonies and passing tones add depth. The D9 (D-F#-A-C-E) chord is clearly present within the other strings, with the Eb (D#) adding a very prominent minor ninth (b9) to the overall harmony. This isn't just a D9; it's a D9(b9) with the b9 in the bass, a sophisticated voicing that can sound both gritty and elegant.

This tuning opens up new sonic possibilities. The open strings themselves form a rich, resonant D9(b9) chord (Eb3-D3-F#4-A3-C4-E4). This means you can strum all open strings for a full, ready-to-rock sound. The low Eb and D provide a powerful, driving low end. Playing single notes on the lower strings will yield a very thick, almost piano-like bass sound. Power chords on the top three or four strings (F#4-A3-C4-E4) can easily form parts of D or F#m chords, while the low D and Eb provide drone opportunities. For slide players, this tuning would be particularly inspiring due to its lap steel lineage and the inherent open chord.

Technical Analysis & Open Chords

The 'd9 Octave D' tuning is configured as D3#-D3-F4#-A3-C4-E4 (low to high).

• String 6 (D3# / Eb3): This low Eb provides a deep, growling bass note, forming the b9 of a D chord.
• String 5 (D3): The fundamental root of the D chord, sitting just above the b9, creating a rich, dissonant tension.
• String 4 (F4#): The major third of D, giving the tuning its major quality.
• String 3 (A3): The perfect fifth of D, solidifying the chord's foundation.
• String 2 (C4): The minor seventh of D, establishing the dominant 7th quality.
• String 1 (E4): The major ninth of D, adding harmonic richness and color.

The open strings collectively form a powerful D9(b9) chord (D-F#-A-C-E with an added Eb). This makes it incredibly easy to create full, harmonically dense sounds with just a strum of the open strings. The arrangement of notes also lends itself to easy inversions and partial chords by barring across higher frets, especially for dominant 7th and 9th voicings. Due to the wide intervals and the low D# / D pairing, this tuning is well-suited for both aggressive rhythm playing and expressive melodic lines, particularly with a slide.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'd9 Octave D' tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard EADGBe tuning as follows. Please note the recommended string gauge adjustments for significant pitch changes.

• String 6 (Low E String): The tuning instruction states to tune down 1 semitone. The target note for this string is D3# (Eb3). Please note that achieving D3# (Eb3) from a standard E2 string is a significant pitch increase (11 semitones). Given this actual change, a lighter gauge string is advised to prevent excessive tension and potential breakage. Tune with extreme care.
• String 5 (A String): Tune up 5 semitones to reach D3. This is a significant pitch increase. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent breakage and ensure stable intonation.
• String 4 (D String): The tuning instruction states to tune up 4 semitones. The target note for this string is F4#. Achieving F4# from a standard D3 string is a very substantial pitch increase (16 semitones). This will put immense tension on the string. A much lighter gauge string is strongly advised, and extreme caution is paramount, as a standard gauge D string is highly likely to snap.
• String 3 (G String): Tune up 2 semitones to reach A3. This is a moderate adjustment.
• String 2 (B String): Tune up 1 semitone to reach C4. This is a minor adjustment.
• String 1 (High E String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at E4.

Always tune carefully and stretch your strings after making significant changes to ensure tuning stability.