Tuning Overview: Open D#sus4 (8-String)

The Open D#sus4 tuning for an 8-string guitar is a rich and expansive tuning, primarily known for its use by modern progressive guitarists like David Maxim Micic. As an open tuning, strumming all the open strings immediately yields a vibrant D#sus4 chord, creating a powerful sonic foundation without the need for fretting.

Technical Analysis:

This 8-string tuning features the notes D#, G#, A# spread across octaves, specifically: D2#, G2#, D3#, G3#, D4#, G4#, A4#, D5#. The core of the tuning is built upon stacked perfect fourths (D# to G#) and their inversions (perfect fifths, G# to D#), which are highly conducive to heavy riffing, power chords, and modern extended-range guitar styles. The inclusion of A# (the perfect fifth of D#) alongside G# (the perfect fourth of D#) solidifies the D#sus4 harmony across various octaves.

The intervals between adjacent open strings are:

• String 8 (D2#) to String 7 (G2#): Perfect Fourth
• String 7 (G2#) to String 6 (D3#): Perfect Fifth
• String 6 (D3#) to String 5 (G3#): Perfect Fourth
• String 5 (G3#) to String 4 (D4#): Perfect Fifth
• String 4 (D4#) to String 3 (G4#): Perfect Fourth
• String 3 (G4#) to String 2 (A4#): Major Second
• String 2 (A4#) to String 1 (D5#): Perfect Fourth

The predominant Perfect Fourth and Fifth intervals facilitate easy formation of power chords and allow for fluid, wide-interval melodic lines typical in djent and progressive metal. The unique Major Second interval between the 3rd (G4#) and 2nd (A4#) strings offers a distinct flavor, creating interesting harmonic clusters and melodic opportunities that depart from typical stacked-fourth tunings. This makes the tuning versatile for both heavy, chugging rhythms and complex, dissonant harmonies. Open chords are readily available, making certain arpeggios and sustained parts particularly resonant. Standard major and minor triads may require adapted fingerings, but the inherent sus4 quality opens up a new palette of sounds.

How to Tune:

To achieve the Open D#sus4 tuning, adjust your strings as follows from a standard 8-string tuning. Please note that none of these string adjustments exceed four semitones, so a change in string gauge is generally not required, but always exercise caution when tuning up.

• String 8 (Lowest): Tune down 3 semitones to reach D2#.
• String 7: Tune down 3 semitones to reach G2#.
• String 6: Tune down 1 semitone to reach D3#.
• String 5: Tune down 1 semitone to reach G3#.
• String 4: Tune up 1 semitone to reach D4#.
• String 3: Tune up 1 semitone to reach G4#.
• String 2: Tune down 1 semitone to reach A4#.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune down 1 semitone to reach D5#.