Verbal Analysis: The Resonant D# Power Chord

This unique tuning, known as "Bruce Palmer Modal Tuning," was famously used by Stephen Stills in Buffalo Springfield and featured in CSNY's "Carry On." It immediately conjures a powerful, resonant sound, almost like a sitar or drone, due to the prevalence of D# and A# across all strings. When strummed open, it rings out as a massive D# power chord (D#5), providing a strong foundational drone that's perfect for modal playing, slide guitar, or crafting expansive soundscapes. The identical notes on the 6th and 5th strings (both D#3) and 4th and 3rd strings (both D#4) create an almost symmetrical feel, making it intuitive for barred chords and drone-based melodic lines. Its open nature invites exploration beyond standard chord shapes, encouraging the guitarist to find new harmonic possibilities.

Technical Analysis: A D# Power Chord Landscape

The open strings for this Guitar tuning are set to D#3, D#3, D#4, D#4, A#4, D#5. This arrangement results in a pure D#5 power chord when played open. Let's break down the intervals:

• 6th String (D#3) to 5th String (D#3): Perfect Unison (0 semitones)
• 5th String (D#3) to 4th String (D#4): Perfect Octave (12 semitones)
• 4th String (D#4) to 3rd String (D#4): Perfect Unison (0 semitones)
• 3rd String (D#4) to 2nd String (A#4): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• 2nd String (A#4) to 1st String (D#5): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)

The presence of four D#s (across strings 6, 5, 4, 3) and two A#s (strings 2, 1) creates a very thick, fundamental sound. This tuning heavily emphasizes the root and the fifth, characteristic of power chords, but with the added depth of octaves and unison notes. The unison D#3 and D#4 pairs mean that barring across these strings will always produce a powerful D# sound, making it easy to transpose chord shapes up and down the neck. The jump to A# on the 2nd string provides the crucial fifth, while the final D# on the 1st string completes the octave. Chords built on the D# root will naturally resonate, and slide playing will be particularly effective over this droning foundation. Consider exploring suspended chords and modal scales (like Dorian or Phrygian with a D# root) to fully leverage the unique intervallic structure.

How to Tune: Adjusting to D# Modal

Achieving the "Bruce Palmer Modal D#" tuning involves significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please pay close attention to the following instructions, and consider using a different string gauge for strings with larger semitone movements to ensure string integrity and optimal tension.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 6 semitones to D#3. Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitone to D#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a substantial change; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

Always tune carefully and incrementally to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument.

6th String: D#3 (The lowest root note, providing a deep foundation).
5th String: D#3 (A unison with the 6th string, doubling the low root for extra resonance).
4th String: D#4 (An octave higher than the 6th and 5th strings, maintaining the root's dominance).
3rd String: D#4 (A unison with the 4th string, creating a thick, harmonically rich root cluster).
2nd String: A#4 (The perfect fifth of D#, adding harmonic depth and power).
1st String: D#5 (The highest root, completing the D# power chord and providing sparkle).