How to Tune to Ulmer (DDADAD)
Associated with harmolodic jazz guitarist James Blood Ulmer, DDADAD tunes the guitar into pure D and A octaves and fifths for a wide, ringing, unison-heavy sound. Stripped of thirds, it lets the player define harmony melodically — the heart of Ornette Coleman's harmolodic approach.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| String 5 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| String 4 | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| String 3 | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| String 2 | A4 | 440.00 Hz |
| String 1 | D5 | 587.33 Hz |
String Tension & Setup Tips
Recommended Gauge:This spreads the strings across a wide range, pulling several strings well above standard pitch to reach the upper D's and A's. Tune up gradually and consider a custom set to avoid breaking the top strings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tune to DDADAD?
From standard tuning (EADGBE), retune each string low to high: 6th E→D, 5th A→D, 4th D→A, 3rd G→D, 2nd B→A, 1st E→D. Match each string to its exact Hz using the interactive tuner above.
What is harmolodic tuning?
James Blood Ulmer's DDADAD removes thirds, leaving open fifths and octaves. This lets melody imply the harmony, a core idea of Ornette Coleman's harmolodic theory.