The Bug Collector Tuning - Amaj7

This unique tuning, affectionately named "The Bug Collector Tuning" by its creator, offers an intriguing approach to guitar voicing. At its core, it reveals a clear A Major 7 chord, providing a rich, consonant foundation for your playing. It's a tuning that invites experimentation, moving beyond standard guitar voicings into lush, resonant soundscapes ideal for arpeggios, melodic lines, and creating a full, ambient wash of sound.

Technical Analysis

The Amaj7 tuning for a Guitar lays out the open notes as A1-A2-C#4-E3-G#4-E4 from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string. This specific arrangement immediately forms an open A Major 7 chord (A, C#, E, G#), with the root (A) and the fifth (E) being doubled across different octaves for added depth and resonance. The intervals between strings create a harmonious palette:

• 6th to 5th string: Perfect Octave (A1 to A2)
• 5th to 4th string: Major Third (A2 to C#4)
• 4th to 3rd string: Minor Third (C#4 to E3)
• 3rd to 2nd string: Augmented Second / Minor Third enharmonically (E3 to G#4)
• 2nd to 1st string: Minor Third (G#4 to E4)

This configuration makes it exceptionally easy to play full, rich A Major 7 chords with simple open strums. Beyond the open chord, the close proximity of the C#4, E3, G#4, and E4 strings allows for quick access to various inversions and extensions by fretting just a few notes. Chords related to A Major, such as D Major 7 (IV Maj7) or E Major (V Maj), could be found with relatively simple fingerings by moving shapes up the neck, as the underlying interval structure provides a good framework for exploration.

How to Tune

To set up your guitar for "The Bug Collector Tuning," you will need to adjust several strings from standard EADGBe tuning. Please follow these movements carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones from E to A1. This is a significant drop in pitch, effectively lowering the string by a perfect fifth. Due to the substantial change, you might consider a heavier gauge string for better tension and intonation.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A to A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G to E3. This is a moderate drop.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G#4. This is also a moderate drop.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E to E4.

Important Note on String Gauges: When tuning a string down by more than 4 semitones (or up by more than 4 semitones), such as the -7 semitone drop on the 6th string, it is highly recommended to consider using a different gauge string. This will help maintain proper string tension, improve intonation, and prevent the string from becoming too slack or risking breakage for extreme upward adjustments.

String 6: A1

String 5: A2

String 4: C#4

String 3: E3

String 2: G#4

String 1: E4