Tuning Analysis: Eb Standard (Dropped High D)

This tuning offers a powerful, darker sound, leveraging the sonic characteristics of Eb Standard while introducing a unique twist on the highest string. It's an excellent choice for players seeking a heavier foundation with distinct melodic possibilities.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning provides the familiar robustness of a standard Eb tuning, where the lowest five strings are lowered by one semitone from E Standard. This naturally grants a slightly deeper and richer tone, often favored in rock, metal, and blues for its gravitas and ease of singing over. The significant alteration comes on the first string (high E), which is dropped an additional semitone from its Eb position, resting on D. This 'double drop' on the highest string creates an intriguing dissonance or open quality in certain chords and scales, setting it apart from a pure Eb Standard. It can feel familiar on the lower five strings but opens up new harmonic and melodic pathways on the high end, encouraging creative voicings and lead lines.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are D# (Eb), G# (Ab), C# (Db), F# (Gb), A# (Bb), and D. From the lowest string to the highest, the intervals are as follows:

• 6th String (D#) to 5th String (G#): Perfect Fourth
• 5th String (G#) to 4th String (C#): Perfect Fourth
• 4th String (C#) to 3rd String (F#): Perfect Fourth
• 3rd String (F#) to 2nd String (A#): Major Third
• 2nd String (A#) to 1st String (D): Major Third

This interval structure is unique. While the bottom four strings maintain standard perfect fourth intervals, the top two strings both feature a Major Third interval (F#-A# and A#-D). This differs from standard tuning's G-B (Major Third) and B-E (Perfect Fourth). As a result, many common chord shapes will require slight modification, particularly on the top two strings. Power chords on the lower strings remain highly accessible and powerful due to the uniform semitone drop.

Chords and Playability

While the lower five strings essentially mimic Eb Standard, allowing for familiar power chords and barre chords (e.g., an open position Eb5 or Ab5), the top D string significantly alters the character of full open chords and lead playing. Common open shapes will take on new voicings:

• Power Chords: Easily formed on the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings, providing a solid, heavy foundation.
• Open Chords: Standard E, A, D, G, C shapes will need adaptation. The presence of two consecutive Major Thirds on the higher strings (F#-A# and A#-D) could facilitate interesting triad inversions or open voicings not typically found in standard tuning.
• Unique Voicings: The dropped high D can create unexpected suspended or add2 qualities when combined with common chord shapes, adding a distinctive flavor. For example, playing a standard G chord shape on the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings would result in F# - A# - D, which is an F# minor chord with an added D.
• Soloing: Scales and arpeggios will feel familiar on the lower strings, but the altered high D string will require rethinking fingerings, potentially leading to fresh melodic ideas.

How to Tune

To achieve the Eb Standard (Dropped High D) tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone to D# (Eb).
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G# (Ab).
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C# (Db).
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F# (Gb).
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A# (Bb).
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D.

Note on String Gauge: All string movements are within 2 semitones. For these changes, your standard gauge strings should typically be suitable without issues. However, if you plan to keep your guitar in this lower tuning for extended periods or prefer a tighter feel, you might consider slightly heavier gauge strings to maintain optimal tension and intonation.

6th String (Low E): D3# (Eb3)

5th String (A): G3# (Ab3)

4th String (D): C4# (Db4)

3rd String (G): F4# (Gb4)

2nd String (B): A4# (Bb4)

1st String (High E): D4