That Song About The Midway
Required String Notes:D - A - D - E - A - D
Tune to DADEAD TuningHow to Tune from Standard to DADEAD Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “That Song About The Midway”:
| 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 | D3 | Leave as is |
| String 3 | G3 | E3 | Tune down 3 semitones |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
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
"That Song About The Midway" by Joni Mitchell is played in DADEAD Tuning (D - A - D - E - A - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 3 semitones down. Joni Mitchell uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
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Tunings Close to DADEAD Tuning
Already tuned to D - A - D - E - A - D? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open D Tuning77 songs
D - A - D - F# - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F# instead of E.DADGAD Celtic Tuning44 songs
D - A - D - G - A - DOnly string 3 differs: G instead of E.Open D Minor / Crossnote25 songs
D - A - D - F - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F instead of E.DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)17 songs
D - A - D - D - A - DOnly string 3 differs: D instead of E.Joni Mitchell’s Guitar Tunings
Joni Mitchell plays 2 of 31 songs in our catalog in DADEAD Tuning. Most-used tunings:
- Custom Tuning (CGDFCE)CGDFCE5 songs
- Custom Tuning (FFCGAC)FFCGAC3 songs
- Custom Tuning (DAEGCE)DAEGCE2 songs
Gear for DADEAD Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "That Song About The Midway" in DADEAD Tuning 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.
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.
D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)
Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“That Song About The Midway” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "That Song About The Midway" by Joni Mitchell in?
"That Song About The Midway" is played in DADEAD Tuning: D - A - D - E - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "That Song About The Midway"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for DADEAD Tuning?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Which other Joni Mitchell songs use this tuning?
"I Had A King" — all in D - A - D - E - A - D, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Joni Mitchell
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Joni Mitchell:
Other Songs in DADEAD Tuning
Once tuned to D - A - D - E - A - D, try playing these tracks next:
DADEAD TuningIntermediate
D - A - D - E - A - DNo Capo