Tuning Analysis: Papa Dafoe E6

The Papa Dafoe E6 tuning is a specialized setup for a 6-string Guitar, primarily designed for lap steel playing. As indicated by its name and description, it functions as both an E6 and a C#m7 tuning, making it exceptionally versatile for blues music in both major and minor keys. This configuration provides a rich harmonic foundation, perfect for expressive slide work and intricate melodic lines, characteristic of lap steel performance.

Technical Breakdown: Open Voicings and Harmonic Potential

The open strings are tuned to E2, C#4, E3, G#4, B3, E4 (from lowest to highest). Let's examine the harmonic implications of these notes:

• The combination of E, G#, B, and E across the tuning forms a clear E Major triad, providing a strong and resonant tonal center when played open.
• By including the C# on the 5th string (C#4), the tuning expands to encompass the notes E, G#, B, C#. This set of notes perfectly outlines an E6 chord (E - G# - B - C#), which is a quintessential sound in many classic lap steel, country, and blues styles.
• Furthermore, if we consider the notes C#, E, G#, and B present in the open tuning, they collectively form a complete C# minor 7th chord (C# - E - G# - B). This dual functionality as both E6 and C#m7 is a key feature, offering immediate access to both major and relative minor tonalities and facilitating seamless transitions between them.

This open tuning is highly intuitive for slide playing. A simple bar across any fret will yield a distinct major or minor 7th chord shape (depending on the fret). This design simplifies complex chord changes and makes it incredibly fluid for improvisation and melody creation, especially suited for the expressive capabilities of a lap steel guitar.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Papa Dafoe E6

To achieve the Papa Dafoe E6 tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard tuning (EADGBe) as follows. Please exercise caution when tuning up strings, especially for significant semitone changes, as this can put extra tension on the neck and strings. Always use a reliable tuner to ensure accuracy.

• String 6 (Lowest E string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is E2.
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 4 semitones. The target note for this string is C#4. (Note: Tuning up by 4 semitones from a standard A2 would typically result in C#3. Achieving C#4, as specified in the tuning notes, indicates an octave jump often achieved with specific string gauges or a fresh string set. Care should be taken with this increase in tension.)
• String 4 (D string): Tune up 2 semitones. The target note for this string is E3.
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is G#4.
• String 2 (B string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is B3.
• String 1 (Highest E string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is E4.

Important Note on String Gauges: When tuning strings up or down by 4 semitones or more, it is generally advisable to consider using a different gauge string to accommodate the altered tension. For this tuning, String 5 requires a 4-semitone increase, which is at the threshold where a lighter gauge string might be beneficial to prevent excessive tension and potential string breakage or neck stress. Always tune carefully and check your instrument's stability.

String 6: E2

String 5: C4#

String 4: E3

String 3: G4#

String 2: B3

String 1: E4