Overview: Guitarra de Golpe Michoacán D-G-C-E-A Tuning

This distinctive tuning, originating from the traditional Mexican instrument known as the Guitarra de Golpe, transforms a standard 6-string guitar into a specialized 5-string setup. As explicitly stated in its description, the 6th (low E) string is to be ignored for playing in this style, emphasizing a unique harmonic and melodic approach centered on its five primary strings. This tuning is deeply rooted in the vibrant musical traditions of Michoacán, offering a unique tonal palette suitable for folk, traditional Mexican music, and experimental compositions.

Verbal Analysis

The Michoacán D-G-C-E-A tuning provides a rich, open, and somewhat ethereal sound due to the significant down-tuning of most strings. The open notes resonate together to create a complex yet pleasing harmony that is both bright and chiming, making it ideal for accompanying vocals or for instrumental pieces where a full, sustained sound is desired. Its structure encourages exploration of melodic lines within its specific chordal framework, and its unique intervalic relationships invite a fresh approach to fingerstyle and strumming. The absence of the lowest string shifts the instrument's sonic focus slightly upwards, contributing to its distinct voice and making the instrument feel lighter in its sonic weight.

Technical Analysis

The active open string notes for this tuning are: D2 - G2 - C3 - E3 - A3 (from the lowest playable string to the highest).

Let's examine the intervals between the active strings:

• String 5 (D2) to String 4 (G2): A Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (C3): A Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 3 (C3) to String 2 (E3): A Major 3rd (M3)
• String 2 (E3) to String 1 (A3): A Perfect 4th (P4)

The prevalence of perfect fourths (three out of four intervals) coupled with a single major third creates a distinctive sound. This structure is more akin to some bass or mandolin family tunings than standard guitar, offering a different approach to chord voicings and scale patterns. The consistent drop of a perfect fifth across five strings creates a significantly lower overall pitch, providing a resonant, almost baritone quality to the instrument.

Chordal Potential and Accessibility:

With the open strings, several chord voicings become readily accessible:

• C Major Triad: The notes G2, C3, and E3 (Strings 4, 3, and 2) form a clear and resonant C major chord. This allows for bright, full C major harmonies with minimal effort from open strings.
• A Minor Triad: The notes A3, C3, and E3 (Strings 1, 3, and 2) combine to form an A minor triad, offering a complementary melancholic or reflective tone easily achieved through open strings.
• Open Voicing: The full open tuning (D2-G2-C3-E3-A3) can be interpreted as a complex Dsus4(add9) or even a Cmaj7(addD,A) depending on the harmonic context, creating rich, drone-like accompaniments. The consistent intervalic structure allows for easy transposition of shapes across the neck, especially for shapes involving the three P4 intervals. Barre chords can easily establish tonal centers around C major, G major, or D minor, taking advantage of the open string relationships.

How to Tune

This tuning involves significant adjustments from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning. Please exercise caution, especially with large downward movements, as string tension will be greatly reduced. For sustained use, consider using a heavier gauge of strings to maintain proper tension and intonation, as tuning down by 7 semitones is a substantial change that can lead to excessive slack with standard strings.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2. This string is typically ignored for playing in this 5-string style.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 7 semitones from A2 to D2. This is a substantial drop, reducing string tension significantly and moving it down a perfect fifth.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 7 semitones from D3 to G2. Another significant drop, further relaxing the string tension and moving it down a perfect fifth.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 7 semitones from G3 to C3. This continues the pattern of large downward adjustments, a perfect fifth down.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 7 semitones from B3 to E3. A considerable drop, resulting in a much looser string and a perfect fifth down.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 7 semitones from E4 to A3. This final drop completes the transformation to the Guitarra de Golpe voicing, a perfect fifth down.

Important Note: Tuning down 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) on five strings will result in very low string tension for standard gauge strings. It is strongly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set (e.g., an acoustic light-medium or medium set, or even a baritone set) if you intend to keep your guitar in this tuning for extended periods, to ensure better playability, intonation, and to prevent excessive string buzzing. Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to E2. This string maintains its standard pitch but is explicitly ignored when playing in this 5-string style, effectively making the instrument a 5-string Guitarra de Golpe.

String 5 (A String): Tuned to D2. This is the lowest active string in this tuning, providing a deep, resonant foundation for the Michoacán sound.

String 4 (D String): Tuned to G2. This string forms a perfect fourth interval with the 5th string (D2), contributing to the open, ringing quality.

String 3 (G String): Tuned to C3. This string forms another perfect fourth interval with the 4th string (G2), continuing the consistent intervalic pattern.

String 2 (B String): Tuned to E3. This string forms a major third interval with the 3rd string (C3), providing a key harmonic interval within the open tuning.

String 1 (High E String): Tuned to A3. This string forms a perfect fourth interval with the 2nd string (E3), completing the high end of the Guitarra de Golpe's unique open voicing.