DACGCEFingerstyle / New Age AcousticAdvancedNo Capo

Layover

Required String Notes:D - A - C - G - C - E

How to Tune from Standard to DACGCE

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Layover”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	D2	Tune down a whole step
String 5	A2	A2	Leave as is
String 4	D3	C3	Tune down a whole step
String 3	G3	G3	Leave as is
String 2	B3	C4	Tune up a half step
String 1	E4	E4	Leave as is

Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

From Aerial Boundaries (1984), this DACGCE tuning is often named 'Layover' after the piece. Its bright C-major core (C-G-C-E on the middle and treble strings) over a D-A bass drives the cascading harmonics, hammer-ons and percussive attack that made Hedges a fingerstyle legend.

Key Chord Voicings:

Open Cadd9/C6 cluster (0-0-0-0-0-0)Partial barres with open-string pull-offsRinging harmonic arpeggios

Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

Tunings Close to DACGCE

Already tuned to D - A - C - G - C - E? These tunings are just one small change away.

Never Meant / Midwest Emo34 songs

F - A - C - G - C - EOnly string 6 differs: F instead of D.

C6 Tuning (CACGCE)10 songs

C - A - C - G - C - EOnly string 6 differs: C instead of D.

Custom Tuning (DACGAE)5 songs

DACGAEOnly string 2 differs: A instead of C.

Custom Tuning (DAEGCE)2 songs

DAEGCEOnly string 4 differs: E instead of C.

Michael Hedges’s Guitar Tunings

Michael Hedges plays 1 of 16 songs in our catalog in DACGCE. Most-used tunings:

Gear for DACGCE

Strings and tools that make playing "Layover" in DACGCE easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)

Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

View strings

D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“Layover” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Layover" by Michael Hedges in?

"Layover" is played in DACGCE: D - A - C - G - C - E, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Layover"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 2: tune up a half step (B3 → C4). Leave the other strings as they are.