MODAL / SUSPENDED
DADGAD
A classic suspended tuning with a low D drone and no third, leaving the emotional direction open for the fretted notes to decide.
CHANGE VALUES ARE SEMITONES FROM STANDARD TUNING. TUNE DOWN GRADUALLY.
Why the missing third matters
DADGAD gives you D, A, another D, G, A, and D. Because the open strings do not contain F or F#, they do not declare D minor or D major. The fretted notes get to make that decision moment by moment.
From standard tuning
Starting from E A D G B E, lower the low E to D, keep A, D, and G, lower B to A, and lower the high E to D. It is a calm retune: only three strings move, and all of them move down a whole step.
First exercise
Play the open strings softly and alternate between adding F and F# on a fretted string. Hear how one note changes the entire room. Then try a melody that delays the third altogether.
Keep in mind
DADGAD has a long life far beyond Midwest emo. That is useful context. A tuning is a shared vocabulary, not a genre costume.