This is a unique Guitar tuning, specifically tailored for playing "The Bug Collector" by Haley Heynderickx, with the additional instruction of using a capo placed at the 6th fret. It offers a bright and resonant sound, ideal for capturing the song's distinctive atmosphere and harmonic qualities.

Verbal Analysis

The open strings, when strummed without fretting, produce a rich and full D# Major 7 (Eb Major 7) chord. This sophisticated harmony lends itself to a dreamy, ethereal, or even jazzy feel, creating a lush sonic bed. The doubling of the D# note (on the 6th and 5th strings) and the G note (on the 4th and 1st strings) adds significant density and sustain to the chord, making it feel particularly resonant. The close proximity of the two D# notes, an octave apart, provides a powerful and fundamental bass foundation that supports the higher registers beautifully. This tuning is excellent for open strumming, arpeggiated patterns, and fingerpicking styles where the natural resonance and harmonic complexity of the D# Major 7 chord can truly shine. Chords related to D# Major (Eb Major) or its relative minor (C minor) will likely be very accessible and sound particularly lush within this tuning.

Technical Analysis

The open tuning notes, listed from the thickest (6th) string to the thinnest (1st) string, are: D#3, D#4, G3, A#4, D4, G4. Analysing these notes in terms of intervals above the lowest D#3 (Eb3) reveals the following structure:

• String 6 (D#3): Root (D# / Eb)
• String 5 (D#4): Octave (D# / Eb)
• String 4 (G3): Major 3rd (G)
• String 3 (A#4): Perfect 5th (A# / Bb)
• String 2 (D4): Major 7th (D)
• String 1 (G4): Major 3rd (G)

This precise configuration results in a complete D# Major 7 chord (specifically D#-G-A#-D, or Eb-G-Bb-D) across the open strings, providing a rich, consonant, and harmonically sophisticated foundation for playing.

How to Tune

To achieve this tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions:

• String 6 (D3#): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 5 (D4#): Tune up 6 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 6 semitones is a very significant change in tension. It is strongly advisable to consider using a heavier gauge string for the 5th string to prevent breakage and maintain proper playability.
• String 4 (G3): Tune up 5 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change in tension. It is advisable to consider using a heavier gauge string for the 4th string to prevent breakage and maintain proper playability.
• String 3 (A4#): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 2 (D4): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 1 (G4): Tune up 3 semitones.

Always tune carefully and check string tension, especially when making larger adjustments. If you notice excessive tension or hear unusual noises, detune immediately.