This tuning, identified as DADGAD capo 5th, delivers a rich and resonant sound. While the name suggests a direct DADGAD tuning with a capo, it specifically outlines a 5-string open tuning of G-D-G-C-D. This configuration provides a powerful Open Gsus4 quality when played open, offering a blend of major and suspended sonorities. It's an excellent choice for creating expansive soundscapes, droning textures, and is particularly well-suited for folk, Celtic, blues, and alternative rock styles. Its open nature makes it very friendly for fingerstyle playing, slide guitar, and experimenting with melodic lines that can weave in and out of the resonant open strings. The ease of forming chords with simple barres further enhances its playability, encouraging creative exploration.

Technical Analysis

This tuning features the open notes G2-D3-G3-C4-D4, spanning five strings (from lowest to highest described). The sequence of notes forms an Open Gsus4 chord. The lowest three strings (G2-D3-G3) establish a strong G5 (root-fifth-root) foundation. The addition of C4 on the second string introduces a perfect fourth (sus4) to the G chord, while the highest D4 provides a resonant fifth. The intervals between adjacent strings are: Perfect 5th (G2-D3), Perfect 4th (D3-G3), Perfect 4th (G3-C4), and Major 2nd (C4-D4). This arrangement of 4ths and 5ths creates a very open and harmonically rich voicing. Simple one-finger barres across the fretboard can yield new open sus4 chords; for instance, barring at the 2nd fret results in an Open Asus4 (A-E-A-D-E), and barring at the 5th fret yields an Open Csus4 (C-G-C-F-G). This confirms the tuning's conceptual link to DADGAD capo 5th, where the provided 5 strings represent the corresponding lower strings of that configuration.

This tuning sets the open strings to the following notes, from the lowest (5th string) to the highest (1st string):

• 5th String: G2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String: D4

How to Tune

To achieve this tuning, you will adjust your strings as follows. The starting notes provided are derived from the target tuning notes and the specified movements, ensuring accuracy for your tuning process.

• 5th String: Tune from E2 up 3 semitones to G2. This is a moderate adjustment.
• 4th String: Tune from G2 up 5 semitones to D3. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier string gauge for this string to prevent breakage and ensure stability.
• 3rd String: The 3rd string remains G3; no change (0 semitones) is needed.
• 2nd String: Tune from B3 up 1 semitone to C4. This is a minor adjustment.
• 1st String: Tune from E4 down 2 semitones to D4. This is a moderate adjustment.