Overview: This tuning, known as Jallo, is described as being very intuitive, didactic, sounding great, and being easy to use. It offers a unique harmonic landscape, perfect for creative exploration.

Verbal Analysis

The Jallo Dm9 Tuning presents a distinctive and resonant sonic signature. The open strings F2-A2-D3-E3-A3-D4 create a rich, full-bodied sound that immediately evokes a slightly melancholic yet inviting atmosphere. The prominent D and A notes, spanning different octaves, provide a strong, ringing foundation, making the open strum highly resonant and harmonically rich. The addition of the E note to what is essentially a D minor chord adds a sophisticated shimmer, making the tuning feel both familiar and fresh.

Technical Analysis

The open notes of this tuning are F2, A2, D3, E3, A3, D4. When arranged, the unique notes present are F, A, D, and E. This combination strongly outlines a D minor triad (D, F, A), with notes F2, A2, D3, A3, and D4 spread across the strings. The E3 on the 3rd string serves as a major second or a major ninth above the root D. Therefore, the open tuning essentially forms a Dm(add9) or Dm(add2) chord (D-F-A-E).

The intervals from the root note D (on the 4th string) are:

• String 6 (F2): Minor Third below the root D3.
• String 5 (A2): Perfect Fifth below the root D3.
• String 4 (D3): Root (D).
• String 3 (E3): Major Second (or Ninth) above the root D3.
• String 2 (A3): Perfect Fifth above the root D3.
• String 1 (D4): Octave above the root D3.

Open Chords & Easy Shapes

The Jallo Dm9 Tuning offers a lush sonic palette right from the open strings, making it ideal for fingerstyle, strumming, and creating drone-like textures. Some easily accessible open voicings and shapes include:

• Dm(add9) Open Chord: Simply strum all six strings open. This produces the full, rich Dm(add9) sound that defines this tuning.
• D Minor Triad: For a simpler D minor sound, you can mute the 3rd string (E3) and strum the remaining strings.
• Power Chords: The repetition of D and A notes across various strings facilitates powerful drone effects and simplified power chord shapes. Barring across the top four strings (D-E-A-D) at any fret will create powerful voicings.
• Suspended Chords: The open E note on the 3rd string naturally lends itself to Dsus2-like qualities, which can be easily adapted and moved up the neck.
• Modal Exploration: The open notes suggest scales like D Dorian (D-E-F-G-A-B-C) or D natural minor (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C), with the E as a strong natural second.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To set your guitar to the Jallo Dm9 Tuning, you will adjust your strings from the standard E-A-D-G-B-e tuning. It's generally advised that string movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down) might warrant considering a different string gauge to maintain optimal playability and string tension. For this tuning, all adjustments are within a safe range, but always tune carefully and gradually.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitones to F2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

String 6 (Low E): F2

String 5 (A): A2

String 4 (D): D3

String 3 (G): E3

String 2 (B): A3

String 1 (High e): D4