The GADGAD Open Tuning

The GADGAD tuning for Guitar is a captivating open tuning that immediately evokes a rich, resonant soundscape. As its name suggests, it shares a structural similarity with the popular DADGAD tuning, but transposed to a G root. The tuning description notes it can be seen as "DADGAD with bottom string up a fifth" (referring to the G-A-D-G-A-D intervals if DADGAD were D-A-D-G-A-D, then GADGAD would be the same shape but starting on G), or "GBDGBD with the Bs downtuned a whole tone." This dual perspective highlights its versatility and connection to other open tunings.

Verbal Analysis

GADGAD is a drone-friendly tuning that creates an open Gsus2sus4 chord (G-A-D-G-A-D) when all strings are strummed open. This gives it an immediate sense of warmth, spaciousness, and a slightly melancholic or yearning quality due to the suspended 2nd and 4th intervals (the 'A' notes). It's particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, folk, Celtic music, and ambient soundscapes where sustained notes and ringing drones are desired. The repeated G and D notes across octaves provide a solid harmonic foundation, while the A notes introduce a beautiful suspension, preventing the tuning from sounding too starkly major.

Chords become incredibly accessible in GADGAD. A simple barre across any fret will yield a suspended chord (e.g., barre at the 5th fret gives a C sus2sus4). More complex voicings can be found by adding a single finger to barre shapes. Common major and minor chords can often be achieved with minimal fretting, making it ideal for songwriters seeking new voicings. The symmetrical nature of the higher strings (A-D, G-A, D) allows for easily transferable fingerings and melodic patterns across the fretboard, inviting exploration of melodic lines that weave in and out of the open string drones, creating a harp-like effect.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for GADGAD are: G2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4. Relative to the lowest G, the intervals are:

• 6th String (G2): Root
• 5th String (A2): Major 2nd
• 4th String (D3): Perfect 5th
• 3rd String (G3): Octave
• 2nd String (A3): Major 9th (compound Major 2nd)
• 1st String (D4): Perfect 5th (compound Perfect 5th)

• 6th (G2) to 5th (A2): Whole step (Major 2nd)
• 5th (A2) to 4th (D3): Perfect 4th
• 4th (D3) to 3rd (G3): Perfect 4th
• 3rd (G3) to 2nd (A3): Whole step (Major 2nd)
• 2nd (A3) to 1st (D4): Perfect 4th

How to Tune to GADGAD

To achieve the GADGAD tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones to G2. Please exercise caution when tuning this string up, as a 3-semitone increase can put significant tension on the string.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

For movements of +/- 4 semitones or more, a different gauge string is generally advised to ensure string integrity and optimal tone. In this tuning, only the 6th string approaches this threshold (+3 semitones). While it's generally manageable, listen to your guitar and consider a heavier gauge low E string if you frequently use this tuning and notice excessive tension or a dull tone.

6th String: G2

5th String: A2

4th String: D3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: A3

1st String: D4