Tuning: Drop G Double E

The GDGCEE tuning, aptly named "Drop G Double E" (or "Drop G but with 2 E's" as described by its creator), is a unique and expressive guitar tuning tailored for creating a wide sonic palette. It's essentially a variation of Drop G, grounding the low end with a powerful G note, but then diverges significantly with its higher strings. The description points to its utility for "dissonant high stuff easily," hinting at its experimental and textural capabilities.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a deep, resonant foundation with the lowest string tuned to G, providing a rich, open bass. This gives it a strong affinity for keys like G Major or G Minor, offering a robust platform for riffing. The two G's (6th and 4th strings) immediately create a powerful G octave, perfect for driving rhythms or drone-like textures. The D string adds a perfect fifth, solidifying a G power chord (G-D-G).

Where this tuning truly shines and differentiates itself is with the higher strings: C3, E3, and E3. The C and E on the 3rd and 2nd strings form a major third, and when combined with the lower G-D-G, they create interesting harmonic possibilities. The combination of G-C-E suggests elements of a C Major triad (C-E-G) or a Gsus4 chord (G-C-D-G) with the added E. The most striking feature is the doubled E on the top two strings (E3, E3). This unison provides a bright, shimmery quality when strummed open, but more importantly, it allows for intriguing dissonances and chord voicings. You can easily play intervals and clusters with these two strings that would be impossible in standard tuning, facilitating the "dissonant high stuff" mentioned in its description. Think of open string drones with shifting melodies on the highest E, or sharp, cutting harmonic accents.

Open chords readily available include a strong G power chord (G-D-G on strings 6, 5, 4). With the addition of the C and E, you can get a Gsus4 (G-C-D-G) or a Gmaj7add4 or Gmaj9sus4 type of sound, depending on how you perceive the C. The doubled E also lends itself to exploring unison bends or slight detunings for a chorus-like effect, or for creating rich, ringing arpeggios.

Technical Analysis

This tuning features the following open notes, from lowest to highest:

• 6th String: G1
• 5th String: D2
• 4th String: G2
• 3rd String: C3
• 2nd String: E3
• 1st String: E3

The intervals between the open strings are:

• 6th (G1) to 5th (D2): Perfect 5th (+7 semitones)
• 5th (D2) to 4th (G2): Perfect 4th (+5 semitones)
• 4th (G2) to 3rd (C3): Perfect 4th (+5 semitones)
• 3rd (C3) to 2nd (E3): Major 3rd (+4 semitones)
• 2nd (E3) to 1st (E3): Unison (0 semitones)

Compared to standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), this tuning represents a significant departure, creating a unique harmonic landscape. The low G provides a drop tuning characteristic, while the unison E's on top open up new melodic and harmonic possibilities, diverging from the typical step-wise intervals of standard tuning.

How to Tune Your Guitar to GDGCEE

To achieve the GDGCEE tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions. It's recommended to use a reliable electronic tuner.

• 6th String: Tune up 1 semitone to G1.
• 5th String: Tune up 3 semitones to D2.
• 4th String: Tune up 3 semitones to G2.
• 3rd String: Tune up 3 semitones to C3.
• 2nd String: Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• 1st String: Tune down 3 semitones to E3.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings up or down by a significant amount, especially exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, it is generally advisable to consider a different string gauge to ensure optimal string tension, playability, and to prevent potential string breakage or damage to your instrument. For this specific GDGCEE tuning, the string movements are moderate and generally fall within a safe range for standard string gauges.

6th String (Low E/G): Tuned to G1, providing a deep, resonant bass foundation, characteristic of drop tunings.

5th String (A/D): Tuned to D2, a perfect fifth above the low G, contributing to a powerful, open G chord.

4th String (D/G): Tuned to G2, an octave above the 6th string, reinforcing the G root and adding depth.

3rd String (G/C): Tuned to C3, introducing a perfect fourth above the 4th string's G, adding harmonic richness.

2nd String (B/E): Tuned to E3, a major third above the 3rd string's C, completing a C major sound within the tuning.

1st String (High e/E): Tuned to E3, a unison with the 2nd string, creating unique possibilities for melodic lines, drones, and dissonant voicings.