Guitar tuning

D A D G A D

DADGAD takes standard tuning and lowers the sixth, second and first strings by a whole tone, giving D-A-D-G-A-D. Open, it forms neither a major nor a minor chord but an open, modal Dsus4 that sounds good with almost no fretting.

The tuner opens already preconfigured; you only need to allow microphone access.

Strings and frequencies

How it sounds

It is the definitive tuning of Celtic folk and much modern acoustic guitar. The open strings act as drones ringing under the melody, which gives that recognisable suspended, atmospheric character.

Styles and genres

Example songs

• Black Mountain Side — Led Zeppelin
• Kashmir — Led Zeppelin

Recommended string gauges

Lowering three strings drops the tension a little; a 0.012-0.053 acoustic set handles it well. If the low strings feel loose for hard picking, go up half a gauge on the three bass strings.

Tuning tip

Make the most of the open strings: in DADGAD you can let the fifth (A) and both D strings ring while you move up the neck, and almost any position sounds consonant. It is ideal for building drone-based soundscapes.