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DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal) Guitar Tuner

DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)
±0
D
Target: 73.4 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
D73
A110
D147
D147
A220
D294

How to Tune to DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)

An extreme drone tuning where four of the six strings are tuned to D and the remaining two to A, creating a massive unison/octave effect. Named after Bruce Palmer (bassist of Buffalo Springfield), this tuning produces a sitar-like droning quality that's hypnotic and otherworldly. Stephen Stills used it to create some of Crosby, Stills & Nash's most distinctive acoustic textures.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2D2Tune down a whole step
String 5A2A2Leave as is
String 4D3D3Leave as is
String 3G3D3Tune down 5 semitones
String 2B3A3Tune down a whole step
String 1E4D4Tune down a whole step
Printable DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal) chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

Stephen Stills reportedly learned this tuning from Bruce Palmer, the bassist of Buffalo Springfield. Stills used it for the hauntingly beautiful acoustic piece "4 + 20" on the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album "Déjà Vu" (1970). The song's title refers to being 24 years old — the age Stills was when he wrote it about his experience of poverty.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:Medium or Heavy gauges (.012-.054 or heavier for acoustic). The G string is tuned down to D (a perfect 4th lower), which significantly reduces tension on that string. A heavier gauge for the 3rd string position helps compensate.

Gear for DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)

Tools that make tuning to D - A - D - D - A - D easier.

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.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)Intermediate
D - A - D - D - A - DNo Capo
Song Details
DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)Intermediate
D - A - D - D - A - DNo Capo
Song Details
DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)Intermediate
D - A - D - D - A - DNo Capo
Song Details
DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)Intermediate
D - A - D - D - A - DNo Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Why tune the G string down to D?
Dropping the G string to D creates a unison pair with the 4th string (both are now D3 at 146.83 Hz). When two strings at the same pitch are struck simultaneously, they create a thick, chorus-like effect similar to a 12-string guitar or a sitar. This unison reinforcement is the heart of the tuning's hypnotic sound.
How to tune to DADDAD?
From standard tuning: drop E→D (one whole step), keep A as-is, keep D as-is, drop G→D (two and a half steps — a perfect 4th down), drop B→A (one whole step), drop high E→D (one whole step). The biggest change is the G→D drop. All changes are downward, so there's no risk of string breakage.
What tuning is 4+20 by Stephen Stills in?
"4 + 20" from CSNY's "Déjà Vu" album uses the DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal) tuning. Stills performs it solo on acoustic guitar, using the drone strings to create a meditative backdrop for the melody. The song demonstrates how a seemingly limited tuning can produce surprisingly complex and emotional music.
Can I play chords in DADDAD?
Traditional chord shapes don't apply in this tuning. Instead, think of it as a 'drone' tuning: the open strings provide a constant D/A foundation while you fret melodies on one or two strings. It creates a sitar-like effect. For chord-like sounds, try fretting the 3rd and 4th strings together at different positions while letting the outer strings ring open.