Tuning Analysis: DADGAD Capo 4

The 'DADGAD Capo 4' tuning, designed for a standard 6-string guitar and often favored for fingerstyle playing, offers a unique and highly resonant sonic landscape. This tuning achieves the characteristic sound of a standard DADGAD tuning (D-A-D-G-A-D) but transposed up by four semitones, as if a capo were placed at the 4th fret on a DADGAD-tuned guitar. However, it's crucial to note that this specific tuning is achieved by adjusting each string directly from standard EADGBe tuning, rather than applying a capo to an already DADGAD-tuned instrument.

Verbal Description

This tuning immediately strikes with a bright, full, and expansive sound. The open strings resonate together to form a rich F♯sus4 chord, creating an instant harmonic foundation. The repeated F♯ notes on the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings, combined with the C♯ on the 5th and 2nd strings, establish a strong, drone-like quality. This makes it particularly suitable for atmospheric pieces, Celtic music, folk, and any style benefiting from open, sustained harmonies. Players will find a fluid and intuitive feel, as many familiar DADGAD patterns and voicings can be directly applied, but now sounding in the key of F♯ (or its relative minor, D♯ minor).

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for 'DADGAD Capo 4' are specifically tuned to F♯3, C♯4, F♯4, B3, C♯5, F♯5 (from low E to high E string). This note sequence maintains the exact intervallic structure of DADGAD (Root-Fifth-Root-Fourth-Fifth-Root), but it is transposed up by four semitones. Therefore, the tonic of the tuning is F♯. The open strings collectively form an F♯sus4 chord (F♯ is the root, C♯ is the perfect fifth, and B is the suspended fourth). This inherent chordal quality means that a simple strum of the open strings yields a complex and beautiful harmony, reducing the need for extensive fretting for basic accompaniment.

Open Chords and Reachable Voicings

The F♯sus4 created by the open strings is a powerful starting point. This tuning lends itself well to easily forming related chords:

• F♯ Major: By fretting the 3rd string (B) at the 1st fret (to A♯), you can achieve a clear F♯ Major chord (F♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-C♯-F♯).
• F♯ Minor: Fret the 3rd string (B) at the 0 fret to keep the B (sus4) or consider fretting to A natural for a minor 7th type sound. True F# minor would require changing the A# to A natural, for instance.
• Barre Chords: Simple one-finger barre shapes across the lower frets become incredibly versatile. A barre across all strings at the 2nd fret, for example, would yield a G♯sus4. Moving this up the neck allows for a multitude of sus4 chords in various keys.
• Drone Potential: The repeated F♯s and C♯s are excellent for creating drones, allowing melodies to be played over a static harmonic bed.

How to Tune 'DADGAD Capo 4'

To achieve the 'DADGAD Capo 4' tuning, you will adjust your standard EADGBe guitar strings as follows. Please take care, especially with strings that require significant upward movement.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E3 to F♯3.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 4 semitones from A3 to C♯4. (Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant adjustment. Ensure your guitar and strings can handle the increased tension. For prolonged use, a heavier gauge string may be advisable.)
• 4th String (D): Tune up 4 semitones from D4 to F♯4. (Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant adjustment. Ensure your guitar and strings can handle the increased tension. For prolonged use, a heavier gauge string may be advisable.)
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 4 semitones from G3 to B3. (Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant adjustment. Ensure your guitar and strings can handle the increased tension. For prolonged use, a heavier gauge string may be advisable.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 2 semitones from B4 to C♯5.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 2 semitones from E5 to F♯5.

When tuning up 4 or more semitones, always proceed slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument. If you plan to keep your guitar in this tuning for extended periods, consider consulting a luthier or using a heavier gauge set of strings on the affected strings to better accommodate the increased tension.