Tuning Analysis: EADAGD

This is a unique alternative guitar tuning, prominently featured in performances and covers inspired by Ben Howard's "A Boat to an Island On The Wall". It's a highly resonant and versatile open tuning, offering a distinctive soundscape.

Verbal Analysis

The EADAGD tuning retains the lower three strings (E, A, D) in their standard pitch, providing a familiar foundation for bass lines and rhythm. The magic happens on the upper three strings: the G string is raised to A, the B string is lowered to G, and the high E string is lowered to D. This creates a captivating open chord that approximates an Em11 (E, G, A, D) – specifically, it contains the root (E), minor third (G), perfect fourth/eleventh (A), and minor seventh (D), with the fifth (B) being omitted for a more open sound.

The presence of two 'A's (on the 5th and 3rd strings, an octave apart) and two 'D's (on the 4th and 1st strings, an octave apart) allows for rich, droning textures and harmonically interesting voicings. This provides a very open and sustained quality to the sound, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing, ambient textures, and melodic exploration. Simple open string strums yield a full, somewhat melancholic, and suspended sound.

Due to its structure, many common chord shapes will need to be re-learned or adapted. However, barring across the upper strings can easily yield various suspended or power chord-like voicings. For instance, a simple barre across the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings at any fret will create rich harmonic clusters due to the unique intervals (D-A-G-D). The open tuning encourages exploration outside of standard chord voicings and lends itself well to modal playing and improvisation around the E minor tonality.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Standard Tuning (EADGBE): E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4
• EADAGD Tuning Notes: E2 A2 D3 A3 G3 D4

How to Tune Your Guitar to EADAGD

To achieve the EADAGD tuning from standard EADGBE, follow these steps, paying close attention to the indicated semitone changes:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones from G3 to A3. Caution: Tuning up a string increases tension. While 2 semitones is generally acceptable for a G string, always tune slowly and carefully to prevent string breakage.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B3 to G3. Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch. The string tension will be noticeably looser. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, or if the string feels too slack, you might consider a heavier gauge string for the 2nd string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4. This is a moderate drop and should be safe for most standard string gauges.

Always check your intonation after changing tunings, especially with significant pitch alterations, to ensure your guitar sounds in tune across the fretboard.

Here are the specific notes for each string in the EADAGD tuning, from lowest to highest pitch:

• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: A3
• 2nd String: G3
• 1st String: D4