Delmer Tuning: A Rich, Harmonic Landscape

The 'Delmer' tuning, crafted for an unreleased song, transforms the standard guitar into a versatile instrument capable of unique harmonic textures. This tuning offers a departure from conventional voicings, inviting exploration of both familiar and innovative chord shapes and melodies.

Technical Analysis: Open String Voicings

The open strings of the guitar in Delmer tuning are configured as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): F#3
• 5th String (A): B2
• 4th String (D): D#4
• 3rd String (G): G#4
• 2nd String (B): B3
• 1st String (High E): D#5

When played open, the notes form the set {B, D#, F#, G#}, spread across several octaves. This creates a rich, resonant sound. Ordered by pitch, we have B2, F#3, B3, D#4, G#4, D#5. The presence of octaves (B2-B3, D#4-D#5) adds depth and sustain.

Analyzing the intervals from the lowest note (B2):

• B2 to F#3: Perfect 5th
• F#3 to B3: Perfect 4th
• B3 to D#4: Major 3rd
• D#4 to G#4: Perfect 4th
• G#4 to D#5: Augmented 4th / Diminished 5th

The overall open chord can be interpreted as a Bmaj#11 (B Major with an added G# as the #11) or a B Major with an added G#. It features the root (B), major third (D#), perfect fifth (F#), and the #11 (G#).

Verbal Observations and Chordal Possibilities

This tuning generates a full, ringing quality when strummed open, leaning towards a bright and slightly adventurous major tonality due to the prominent B Major chord elements. The inclusion of the G# adds an intriguing, expansive, or even contemplative quality, preventing it from sounding like a simple major triad.

Open Chord Potential:

• B Major / Bmaj#11: The full open strum inherently creates a rich B Major sonority with the added G#, providing a sophisticated harmonic foundation.
• G# minor: By focusing on the G#4, B3, and D#5 strings, a G# minor triad can be easily implied or highlighted within the tuning, offering a contrasting minor feel.
• D# minor: The presence of D#4, F#3 (enharmonically Eb), and B3 (as a 6th) suggests that D# minor-based chords might be readily accessible.

The intervalic structure, particularly the perfect 5th (B2-F#3) and perfect 4ths (F#3-B3, D#4-G#4), suggests that power chords and open, droning voicings will sound particularly strong and resonant. Simple one-finger barres can likely create interesting major or minor chords, transforming the open Bmaj#11 into other tonalities. For instance, moving all notes up by one fret (a half-step) would yield a Cmaj#11 sound, allowing for easy key changes with minimal effort. This tuning is excellent for creating rich soundscapes, fingerstyle pieces with droning bass notes, or powerful open-string riffs.

How to Tune to Delmer

To achieve the 'Delmer' tuning, you will adjust your guitar strings from standard EADGBe tuning according to the following instructions. Always tune carefully and incrementally.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E3 to F#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitone from D4 to D#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone from G4 to G#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B3 to B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone from E5 to D#5.

Important Note on String Tension: All string adjustments in this tuning are within a safe range, with the maximum movement being 2 semitones up or 1 semitone down. Generally, for movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), a different string gauge might be advised. However, for the Delmer tuning, your standard string set should be perfectly suitable.