About Kill Yr Idols Tuning

This unique and highly experimental tuning, famously used by Sonic Youth in tracks like "Kill Your Idols," "Youth Against Fascism," "Stereo Sanctity," and "Total Trash," embodies the band's signature approach to sound. It's a tuning designed not for conventional harmony, but for creating dissonant textures, drones, and unique sonic landscapes.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to G2 G2 D3 D3 D5# D5# (from low E to high e). This creates a fascinating and somewhat jarring harmonic structure:

• The two lowest strings are a unison G2, providing a powerful, droning bass foundation.
• The 4th and 3rd strings are also a unison, D3, which forms a perfect fifth with the G2s, establishing a strong G power chord (G5) in the lower register. This provides a resonant, open canvas.
• The most striking feature appears in the higher strings: the 2nd and 1st strings are both tuned to D5#. This note creates a distinct and often dissonant minor second interval with the D3 strings below it (D to D#).

The overall effect is a dense, almost clashing, cluster of G, D, and D#. This open tuning is not meant for traditional strumming of common chords. Instead, it invites exploration of drone patterns, resonant overtones, and controlled dissonance. The paired unison strings (G-G, D-D, D#-D#) lend themselves to thick, layered sounds, and allow for slides and bends that maintain their density. The tension between the low G5 power chord and the high, sharp D# notes is central to its experimental character, making it perfect for noise-rock and avant-garde compositions.

Chordal Possibilities

While traditional chords are challenging, this tuning excels at:

• Open Dissonance: Strumming all open strings yields a powerful, resonant, and inherently dissonant chord built on G, D, and D#. This is often used for its raw, textural impact.
• G5 Power Chord Base: The lower four strings (G2 G2 D3 D3) form a strong G5 power chord. This foundation can be used for rhythmic parts or as a drone, with the higher strings adding melodic or dissonant elements.
• Unison Slides & Drones: The multiple unison pairs (G-G, D-D, D#-D#) make it easy to create thick, sustaining drones and slide effects by fretting across adjacent strings with a single finger or bar.
• Drone Textures: By selectively muting or fretting individual strings, one can emphasize the powerful G-D drone while introducing melodic or harmonic variations on the higher strings. Simple two or three-finger shapes can yield unique voicings.

Open String Notes:

• 6th String (Low E): G2
• 5th String (A): G2
• 4th String (D): D3
• 3rd String (G): D3
• 2nd String (B): D5#
• 1st String (High e): D5#

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Kill Yr Idols Tuning', start from standard guitar tuning (E A D G B e) and make the following adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones to reach G2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to reach G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones to reach D3. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different gauge string may be advised to maintain proper tension and tone and prevent breakage.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 4 semitones to reach D5#. (Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change, especially to reach the high D5#. A different gauge string may be advised to prevent string breakage and ensure playability.)
• 1st String (High e): Tune down 1 semitones to reach D5#.