Description of In My Skin Tuning

The "In My Skin" tuning is a distinctive and extremely low setup for a 7-string guitar, primarily utilized by the deathgrind, hardcore, and noise rock band In My Skin. This tuning is engineered to deliver immense weight, guttural resonance, and a thick sonic foundation characteristic of these heavy genres.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this 7-string tuning are: A1 - D2 - A2 - C3 - G3 - A3 - D4 (from lowest to highest string).

• Starting at a thunderous A1, this tuning immediately signals its intent for extreme low-end aggression, placing it significantly below standard tunings.
• The lowest three strings (A1-D2-A2) create a powerful, resonant cluster. While not a conventional power chord, the intervallic relationship of A-D-A (perfect 4th then perfect 5th) establishes a deep and wide sonic presence, often used for drone-like effects or a massive root foundation.
• A significant harmonic feature emerges on strings 5, 4, and 3 (A2-C3-G3), which perfectly form an A minor 7th chord (root, minor third, minor seventh). This provides immediate access to melancholic or heavily textured minor tonalities when strumming these strings open.
• The intervals between adjacent strings vary, promoting interesting voicings and playability characteristics:
  • 7th String (A1) to 6th String (D2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • 6th String (D2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
  • 5th String (A2) to 4th String (C3): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
  • 4th String (C3) to 3rd String (G3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • 3rd String (G3) to 2nd String (A3): Major 2nd (2 semitones)
  • 2nd String (A3) to 1st String (D4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)

Verbal Analysis and Playability

This tuning provides a dark, menacing, and incredibly resonant soundscape. The repeated A and D notes across octaves contribute to a powerful sympathetic resonance, allowing for sustained, thick chords and drones, which is ideal for the noise rock and deathgrind genres. The close voicings, particularly the A minor 7th on the middle strings, offer a rich harmonic palette for creating complex yet heavy progressions.

For riffs, the abundance of perfect 4ths (A1-D2, C3-G3, A3-D4) makes low, chunky power chords incredibly accessible. The lowest A1 string facilitates incredibly heavy, detuned chugs that are characteristic of extreme metal. While the tuning might require some adjustment for players accustomed to standard tunings, it opens up a world of sonic possibilities for creating crushing, dissonant, and innovative heavy music.

Open chords that are immediately available or within easy reach include:

• Am7 (A2-C3-G3): Easily achieved by strumming strings 5, 4, and 3 open. This provides a rich, melancholic minor 7th voicing.
• Power Chords (e.g., C5, G5): The C3-G3 (strings 4 & 3) and G3-D4 (strings 3 & 1) intervals are perfect 4ths and 5ths, respectively, making open power chords very straightforward to fret on these string sets. For instance, just strumming strings 4 and 3 gives a C5 power chord.
• Heavy Drone A: Strumming strings 7, 5, and 2 (A1, A2, A3) creates a massive, multi-octave A drone. Similarly, strings 6 and 1 (D2, D4) can be strummed for a powerful D drone.

How to Tune

To achieve the "In My Skin" tuning from a standard 7-string B-standard tuning (B1-E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these steps:

• 7th String (Low B1 to A1): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 6th String (E2 to D2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 5th String (A2 to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D3 to C3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 3rd String (G3 to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B3 to A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 1st String (High E4 to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Important Note on String Tension: While none of the individual string movements exceed +/- 4 semitones, maintaining proper string tension and intonation is crucial for a 7-string setup, especially with such a low overall tuning. It is always recommended to check your intonation after significant tuning changes.

7th String: A1

6th String: D2

5th String: A2

4th String: C3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: A3

1st String: D4