The A-Drone Resonator tuning transforms your 6-string Ukulele or Guitalele into an instrument of remarkable resonance and depth. This unique setup, diverging significantly from standard ukulele tunings, is designed to create a rich, sustained soundscape, particularly emphasizing the note A.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a tuning where three of your highest strings ring out in perfect unison, providing a shimmering, constant drone. That's the heart of the A-Drone Resonator. This tuning encourages an open, atmospheric playing style, making it ideal for fingerstyle arpeggios, melodic leads, and creating expansive sound textures. It has a slightly melancholic yet inviting character, perfect for genres like folk, ambient music, cinematic scores, or experimental compositions. Traditional chord shapes will need rethinking, but the reward is a uniquely resonant instrument that inspires new musical ideas and allows for rich, sustained voicings.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument: This tuning is designed for a 6-string Ukulele or Guitalele. The string numbering assumes the lowest pitched string is String 6 and the highest is String 1.
• Open Tuning Notes: The strings are tuned to G2, C3, D3, A3, A3, A3 (from lowest pitch, String 6, to highest pitch, String 1).
• Interval Relationships:
  • String 6 (G2) serves as the root.
  • String 5 (C3) is a Perfect 4th (5 semitones) above String 6.
  • String 4 (D3) is a Perfect 5th (7 semitones) above String 6.
  • Strings 3, 2, and 1 are all tuned to A3, a Major 9th (14 semitones) above String 6. This creates the powerful 'A' drone.
• Open Chords and Voicings:
  • The lowest four strings (G2 C3 D3 A3) form a Gsus4(add9) chord, offering a lush and open starting point.
  • The triple A3 on the highest strings provides an incredibly strong and sustaining 'A' drone. This means chords and melodies will always have a resonant A ringing through, making A major or A minor harmonies particularly full.
  • Experiment with simple two or three-finger chord shapes across the lower strings, allowing the high A's to resonate. For instance, fingering notes that complement an A drone will yield rich results.

How to Tune Your Ukulele/Guitalele

Achieving the A-Drone Resonator tuning requires specific adjustments for each string. Please proceed with care, especially for larger semitone changes.

• String 6 (G2): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 5 (C3): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 4 (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (A3): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 1 (A3): Tune down 7 semitones. Caution: Tuning this string down by 7 semitones is a significant change. For optimal performance and to avoid potential slackness or intonation issues, it is strongly advised to consider using a lighter gauge string for String 1.

String 6: G2

String 5: C3

String 4: D3

String 3: A3

String 2: A3

String 1: A3