Tuning Analysis: meet dinkleton acoustic songs

This unique acoustic guitar tuning, aptly named "meet dinkleton acoustic songs," evokes a profound sense of melancholy and introspection, as described by its creator: "very melancholy, very little hope in this tuning." It's designed to inspire reflective and somber compositions on a standard six-string guitar.

Verbal Description

The open strings present a rich, complex sonority that immediately establishes a dark and pensive mood. The presence of the low F on the 6th string, paired with an A# (A sharp) on the 5th string, firmly anchors the tuning in an F minor tonality. This minor third interval (F to A#) is the emotional core, creating an immediate sense of sadness and a yearning quality. The additional F an octave higher on the 4th string reinforces this foundation, providing a deep, resonant drone. The G on the 3rd string adds a touch of suspension or a minor 9th, further deepening the emotional complexity without resolving neatly. The higher strings, C and D, introduce an interesting blend; the C provides a stable perfect fifth to the F minor, while the D adds a major 6th or 13th, hinting at broader harmonic possibilities beyond a simple minor chord. The overall sound is full yet sparse, allowing individual notes to ring out with distinct character, perfect for creating atmospheric and melancholic soundscapes that resonate with the tuning's description.

Technical Analysis

This custom tuning for the Guitar sets the open strings to F2 A3# F3 G3 C4 D4 from low to high. It deviates significantly from standard EADGBe, creating a unique harmonic landscape.

• Harmonic Structure: The collective notes of the open strings are F, A#, C, G, D. This can be interpreted as an F minor chord (F-A#-C) with added extensions: a G (minor 9th) and a D (major 13th). This F minor 9(add13) voicing gives the tuning its distinctive melancholic yet sophisticated character. The prominent minor third (F-A#) sets the mood, while the extensions add color and harmonic depth.
• Voicing and Intervals: The two F notes (F2 and F3) provide a strong, droning root. The interval between String 5 (A3#) and String 4 (F3) is a diminished fourth, offering a slightly dissonant yet compelling voicing that contributes to the unique character. The relatively close spacing of the higher strings (G3, C4, D4) forms an intriguing cluster, essentially a Gsus4 or a Cmaj7sus2 shape. This allows for bright, open-sounding melodic and harmonic possibilities that contrast with the darker lower register, enabling a wide range of expressive playing.
• Chordal Possibilities: While the open tuning does not yield a simple major or minor chord, it is highly conducive to open, droning voicings that exploit its F minor 9(add13) character. Barre chords, when applied across the fretboard, will result in complex, extended harmonies due to the unique intervals. For example, a full barre at the first fret might produce a G minor 9 (G-B# -D# -A# -D# -E), while a barre at the second fret could yield an A minor 9 (A-C# -A-B-E-F#). The inherent structure encourages fingerstyle playing to explore the rich harmonic content and the interplay between sustained bass notes and melodic upper voices, perfectly suiting its "acoustic songs" nature.

How to Tune

To achieve the "meet dinkleton acoustic songs" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string adjustments, specifying the movement from its standard pitch:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone, from E2 to F2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitone, from A2 to A#2. (Note: The final tuning note specified in the description is A3#, an octave higher than the A#2 result from this movement. To achieve the exact A3# pitch, you would need to tune up 13 semitones from A2, which typically requires a different gauge string and careful consideration of string tension. Please use an accurate tuner to achieve the exact A3# pitch if this octave is your desired target.)
• 4th String (D): Tune up 3 semitones, from D3 to F3. (Caution: Tuning up by 3 semitones places significant tension on the string. Proceed carefully and check string integrity. For sustained use or if this feels too tight, consider a lighter gauge D string to prevent breakage or neck damage.)
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone, from B3 to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones, from E4 to D4.

The open notes for the 'meet dinkleton acoustic songs' tuning are as follows (from thickest to thinnest string):

• 6th String: F2
• 5th String: A3#
• 4th String: F3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String: D4