How to Tune to DADEAD Tuning
A shimmering Dsus2/Dsus4-flavored tuning (D-A-D-E-A-D) beloved in midwest emo and modern fingerstyle. Closely related to DADGAD but with the third string lowered from G to E, it produces stacked suspended intervals that ring with an open, unresolved beauty. Mike Kinsella (Owen, American Football) and a generation of emo guitarists use it for twinkling arpeggios.
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings:
| 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 |
Midwest emo's signature "twinkly" guitar sound comes largely from open and suspended tunings like this one. By tuning strings to seconds and fourths instead of thirds, players get chords that ring together with lots of open-string overtones — the sparkling, math-rock texture that defines the genre.
String Tension & Setup Tips
Gear for DADEAD Tuning
Tools that make tuning to D - A - D - E - 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.
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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