Verbal Analysis

The DGDGAG tuning, as specified by its notes D♯3 G2 D3 G3 A♯4 G4, presents a distinctive and resonant soundscape. It's notably featured in Eddie Van der Meer's acoustic arrangement of "You Can Become a Hero," suggesting its suitability for intricate and melodic fingerstyle compositions.

This tuning moves away from standard guitar harmony, creating a landscape rich with open fifths and octaves (G2-D3-G3 and D3-G3-A♯4-G4), which tend to produce a full, droning quality. The specific choice of D♯3 for the lowest string and A♯4 for the second string adds unique tensions and colors, steering the harmonic possibilities towards a more melancholic or complex feel rather than a straightforward major or minor tonality. It invites experimentation with arpeggiated patterns and sustained notes, making it ideal for creating specific moods or supporting a unique vocal line.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the open strings to D♯3 G2 D3 G3 A♯4 G4 (from low E equivalent to high E equivalent). While named DGDGAG, the actual notes include a D♯ (D sharp) and an A♯ (A sharp/B flat), which are critical to its unique character.

• The sequence G2-D3-G3-G4 across strings 5, 4, 3, and 1 provides a strong foundation of G and D notes, leaning towards a G-centric harmony.
• The D♯3 on the 6th string creates an interesting tension against the G natural, often implying a G minor tonality or a D♯ augmented sound, depending on the melodic context.
• The A♯4 (B♭4) on the 2nd string reinforces the potential G minor feel, as B♭ is the minor third of G.
• The intervals from low to high are:
  • String 6 (D♯3) to String 5 (G2): Augmented 4th (G2 up to D♯3) or diminished 5th down. This is a tritone interval, highly dissonant yet often used for color.
  • String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th.
  • String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th.
  • String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A♯4): Compound minor 3rd (minor 3rd plus an octave).
  • String 2 (A♯4) to String 1 (G4): Minor 3rd down.

Due to the open G-D-G structure on the middle strings, many chords will naturally resolve to a G minor or G-dominant 7th sound with the inclusion of the A♯/B♭. Barring across frets will produce movable chord shapes, allowing for exploration of different keys while retaining the internal intervals. For instance, a full bar across all strings at the 3rd fret would yield a C minor chord based on the open string intervals (C-F-C-F-G♭-C).

Open String Notes

• String 6 (lowest pitch): D♯3
• String 5: G2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: A♯4
• String 1 (highest pitch): G4

How to Tune

To achieve the DGDGAG tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone to reach D♯3.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 2 semitones to reach G2.
• String 4 (D string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at D3.
• String 3 (G string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at G3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 1 semitone to reach A♯4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 3 semitones to reach G4.

Note: All string movements are within a safe range, so a change in string gauge is not advised for this tuning. Always tune carefully and check string tension.