How do I find guitar chords and voicings in alternate tunings like FACGCE, DAEAC#E, or DADGAD?

Select any preset tuning (such as Standard EADGBE, FACGCE, DAEAC#E, DADGAD, or CGDGBD) or dial in individual string pitches from String 6 to String 1. TwinkleLab automatically recalculates all diatonic scale chords and any custom chord quality across 4 distinct neck positions (V1 Open/Low, V2 Low-Mid, V3 Mid-Neck, and V4 High Chime), complete with full and partial capo support.

How is guitar string tension calculated for alternate and drop tunings?

TwinkleLab uses the D'Addario physical string tension formula T = (UW × (2 × L × F)²) / 386.4, where UW is the string unit weight (lbs/in), L is the vibrating scale length in inches (including multi-scale fanned frets), and F is the pitch frequency in Hz. You can click Auto-Balance Gauges to automatically select plain steel and nickel-wound gauges that prevent snapped high strings or floppy low strings.

Can I preview guitar chords with a Grand Piano or export my chord progression to MIDI and ASCII Tab?

Yes. Use the Sound / MIDI Patch selector to switch between Concert Grand Piano, Vintage Rhodes Electric Piano, Clean Telecaster, Warm Jazzmaster, Acoustic Steel, Classical Nylon, 12-String Shimmer, Analog Synth Pad, and 8-Bit Chiptune. Any progression queued in the looper can be exported immediately as a plain-text ASCII guitar tab (.TXT) or a binary Standard MIDI file (.MID) for your DAW.

TwinkleLab — Guitar Fretboard, Alternate Tuning Chord Finder, String Tension & Odd-Time Tab Studio

Tuning Preset

Key

Scale

Capo

Style

MIDI Sound

Quick Load:

Strings (6→1):

C Major Scale • Root Triad Color Chord

Tap any fret to play • Keys: [Space] Loop, [S] Strum, [D] Dark Mode, [M] Mute

Scale & Open-String Chords (Multi-Voicing Bank)

Switch between V1–V4 neck positions on any chord, or queue all chords directly into the looper.

8 chords × 4 voicings

Tuning Stability & String Match

Checking string pull across all 6 strings...

Studio Rig Pick Clean Sustain

Studio Compressor & EQ Pedals on Reverb

Even out string-to-string volume for open voicings and two-hand tapping with a Keeley Compressor Plus or Cali76.

Browse Compressor Deals on Reverb →

Progression Looper, MIDI & ASCII Tab

Queue any chord in multiple voicings, loop odd meters & export Tab or MIDI.

Meter

Tab Style

Tempo 120 BPM

Add Any Chord & Voicing to Looper Cmaj7 (V1)

Queue (tap card to strum • tap V1–V4 to switch voicing)

ASCII Tab & MIDI Export

Chord Diagrams (Queued Voicings)

String Tension & Gauge Calculator

Total: 103.8 lbs • Avg: 17.3 lbs • All Strings Safe (Balanced) • Custom .010–.046

Bass:

Treble:

Str	Pitch	Scale	Freq	Gauge	Type	Tension	Status

Guitar Tuning, Multi-Voicing Chord & String Tension Reference Guide (EADGBE, Drop D, FACGCE, DAEAC#E, DADGAD) ▾

Standard & Alternate Guitar Tunings

Switch instantly between Standard Tuning (EADGBE), Drop D (DADGBE), Eb Half-Step Down, Open Fmaj9 (FACGCE) for Midwest Emo, Open Aadd9 (DAEAC#E) for Math Rock, Open G6/C (CGDGBD), and Celtic Modal (DADGAD). Use the -1 / +1 Semi buttons to transpose any tuning up or down by semitones.

Multi-Voicing Chords (V1–V4) & MIDI

Every scale chord and custom chord quality (maj7, m7, maj9, m9, m11, add9, sus2, sus4, 6/9, maj7#11, dim7) is automatically solved across 4 fretboard regions (V1 Open/Low, V2 Low-Mid, V3 Mid-Neck, V4 High Chime) and can be previewed with Concert Grand Piano, Rhodes, or Guitar synth voices.

Multi-Scale String Tension & Odd-Time Tabs

Calculate string pull in lbs or kg across straight (24.0"–27.5") or fanned-fret multi-scale necks, auto-balance gauges for drop or open tunings, and export 4/4, 5/4, 7/8, 9/8, or 11/8 progressions to ASCII Guitar Tab (.TXT) or Standard MIDI (.MID).