Sonic Youth · 1983 · EP
Kill Yr Idols tuning.
G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3, about 22 cents flat (A ≈ 434), measured on the CD. 2 of 5 songs are tuned differently.
Album tuning
G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3 −22 ¢
About 22 cents flat (A ≈ 434), measured on the CD.
MeasuredWidely reported
Tune like thisPlay alongAll 5 songs
String 1 sits 13 half steps below its standard E4. On a normal set (.010) it keeps only about 20 % of its usual tension and flaps. For the usual feel use about a .021 string, or a baritone guitar.
Measured by TuneLit
22 ¢ flat
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, DGC/Geffen GED 24511 (1995 Confusion Is Sex reissue with the EP songs) | −21.6 ¢ | A 434.5 | 4 | Too few songs | Low |
Before we measured, sources said: G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3, with no pitch given (widely reported).
A five-song 12-inch on the German Zensor label. The three new songs introduced the most durable Sonic Youth tuning, G G D D D♯ D♯: three unison pairs, so one finger plays a power chord, and the top pair grinds a half step against the D pair. They are bonus tracks on the 1995 Confusion Is Sex CD, where TuneLit measured them about 22 ¢ flat (A ≈ 434.5); only Early American gives a steady reading, so treat that as a hint. Protect Me You is the Confusion Is Sex recording (about 6 ¢ sharp); Shaking Hell adds a live take to the studio one.
5 songs · 2 tuned differently
Every song, ready to tune
Tune opens the tuner in that song's tuning, pitch included. Play along opens the song player set to that tuning, so the track plays in yours. What the labels mean
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1. Protect Me You
Different tuning
E Standard +6 ¢Measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3: String 6 down 3 half steps (G → E), String 5 up a whole step (G → A), String 3 up 5 half steps (D → G), String 2 up 8 half steps (E♭ → B), String 1 up 13 half steps (E♭ → E); the other strings stay.
Also on Confusion Is Sex.
Not documented: the same recording as on Confusion Is Sex, listed here at standard tuning only because the guitar tuning is unknown.
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2. Shaking Hell
Different tuning
E StandardFrom tabs · not measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3: String 6 down 3 half steps (G → E), String 5 up a whole step (G → A), String 3 up 5 half steps (D → G), String 2 up 8 half steps (E♭ → B), String 1 up 13 half steps (E♭ → E); the other strings stay.
The studio version from Confusion Is Sex followed by a live take.
Lee Ranaldo in standard tuning, as on Confusion Is Sex; the EP adds a live version.
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3. Kill Yr Idols
G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3 −22 ¢Measured
Notes
Both guitars in G G D D D♯ D♯, confirmed by videos and set lists.
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4. Brother James
G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3 −22 ¢Measured
Notes
Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo both in G G D D D♯ D♯, the tuning Guitar Player quoted for this song more than once.
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5. Early American
G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3 −22 ¢Measured
Notes
Lee in G G D D D♯ D♯; Thurston plays with a drumstick under the strings, possibly on another guitar.
What the labels mean
- Measured
- TuneLit measured the pitch on an original CD or LP. The tuning name still comes from the sources.
- Official
- The band, a member, their producer or their guitar tech said it.
- Widely reported
- Trusted outlets, guides and tabs agree, but the band did not say it directly.
- From tabs
- From community tabs, or from players who tune along with the record.
- Disputed
- Sources disagree. The likeliest setting is shown; the notes name the other one.
Each song shows one label, the strongest it has, in this order. How we measure recordings →
Questions
What tuning is Kill Yr Idols in?
Sonic Youth recorded Kill Yr Idols (1983) in G2 G2 D3 D3 D♯3 D♯3, about 22 cents flat (A ≈ 434), measured by TuneLit on the CD. Protect Me You uses E Standard +6 ¢; Shaking Hell uses E Standard.
Why does Kill Yr Idols sound out of tune with my guitar?
The record sits about 22 cents flat (A ≈ 434), so a guitar tuned to A 440 clashes with it. The Tune buttons on this page set the tuner's reference to match the record, so you only tune the strings.