The "Asus4 7 String" tuning is a distinctive and evocative setup for the 7-string guitar, primarily centered around an A suspended 4th chord. As the name suggests and its description hints, this tuning is perfectly suited for crafting melancholic, introspective, or gloomy soundscapes, offering a profound depth and emotional resonance that can be particularly effective in genres like ambient, doom, progressive rock, or even expressive classical compositions.

Verbal Analysis:

With its low A1 string, this tuning immediately provides a vast, deep foundation, giving your music a gravitas that's hard to achieve with standard tunings. The prevalence of A, D, and E across various octaves creates a rich, full-bodied open chord, an Asus4 (A-D-E). This open suspension lends itself to a feeling of unresolved longing or tension, rather than a definitive major or minor tonality, which is key to its melancholic character. The 7-string format further expands the harmonic and melodic possibilities, allowing for dense chord voicings, extended bass lines, and complex arpeggios that resonate beautifully.

The lowered tension on several strings, particularly the 3rd string (tuned down 3 semitones), can make for a slinkier, more expressive feel, ideal for bends and vibrato that convey a sense of pathos. Chords played high on the neck will still have the resonant low A and D strings ringing underneath, creating expansive sonic textures. This tuning encourages a style of playing that often uses open strings as drones or pedal tones, allowing melodies to weave in and out over a static harmonic base.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are: A1-D2-A2-D3-E3-A3-E4 (from low 7th string to high 1st string).

• The core structure is built upon an A suspended 4th chord (Asus4), comprising the notes A (root), D (suspended 4th), and E (perfect 5th).
• The tuning features multiple octaves of these notes:
  • A: A1 (root), A2 (octave), A3 (octave)
  • D: D2 (sus4), D3 (octave of sus4)
  • E: E3 (5th), E4 (octave of 5th)
• This arrangement provides an incredibly full and resonant open Asus4 chord, making it a powerful drone or starting point for compositions.
• Open Chords & Shapes: The open tuning itself is an Asus4. Due to the repeating intervals (A-D-A-D and E-A-E), many common chord shapes will take on new voicings. For instance, a simple two-finger shape on strings 1 and 2 (e.g., fretting 1st string at 5th fret (A4) and 2nd string at 5th fret (D4)) would create an A-D interval, which resonates perfectly with the open A and D strings. Barre chords can be easily formed to create other suspended voicings or to resolve the suspension to major/minor triads.
• The low A1 string offers extended bass range, allowing for powerful riffs and complex lower register harmonies. The proximity of D2 and A2 on adjacent strings provides a strong perfect 4th interval for rhythmic patterns.

How to Tune:

To achieve the Asus4 7 String tuning (A1 D2 A2 D3 E3 A3 E4) from a common B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 7-string standard tuning, follow these adjustments:

• 7th String (B1 to A1): Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• 6th String (E2 to D2): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A2 to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D3 to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G3 to E3): Tune down 3 semitones to E3. (Note: Tuning down 3 semitones is significant; consider string gauge.)
• 2nd String (B3 to A3): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (E4 to E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Caution: When tuning strings significantly up or down (beyond 4 semitones in either direction), it is generally advised to consider using a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and avoid potential string breakage or neck damage. For this tuning, the 3rd string's 3-semitone drop is notable, but within a manageable range for most standard gauges. However, always exercise care when adjusting string tension.