This unique tuning, known as "Open A Minor 7th Drone", is designed for expansive fingerstyle playing and crafting wide-ranging chords. Its distinct character comes from the interplay of deep root notes and resonant open intervals, providing a rich sonic foundation.

Verbal Analysis

The overall feel of this tuning is one of depth and resonance. With the low A on the 6th string and two D strings (5th and 4th), it creates a powerful drone effect, particularly when playing in the key of A or D. The repetition of A on the 2nd string and E on the 1st string reinforces the A minor sound, while the G on the 3rd string introduces a minor seventh, giving the tuning a soulful, bluesy, or even jazzy character. It's particularly well-suited for fingerstyle arrangements where individual note clarity and sustained tones are desired, allowing complex harmonies to ring out.

The wide intervals between some strings, such as the perfect fourths between A-D and D-G, provide interesting opportunities for open chord voicings that would be difficult or impossible in standard tuning. The open A minor 7th sus4 chord is readily available, offering a melancholic yet full sound. Its structure encourages exploration of modal melodies and bass lines that complement the open strings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar strings to A1 D2 D3 G3 A3 E4 (from low E to high E string). Compared to standard tuning (EADGBe), this represents a significant revoicing:

• The 6th string is tuned down to A1 (a perfect fourth below standard E2).
• The 5th string is tuned down to D2 (a perfect fourth below standard A2).
• The 4th string remains D3.
• The 3rd string remains G3.
• The 2nd string is tuned down to A3 (a major second below standard B3).
• The 1st string remains E4.

The open strings form the notes A, D, G, E. Specifically, the combined open notes are A (root), D (perfect 4th), G (minor 7th), and E (perfect 5th). This configuration inherently forms an A minor 7th suspended 4th (Amin7sus4) chord, specifically voiced as A1 D2 D3 G3 A3 E4. The repeated A and D notes create a strong open drone, while the G and E provide harmonic richness. The interval structure is P4 (A-D), P1 (D-D), P4 (D-G), M2 (G-A), P5 (A-E).

Open Chords & Possibilities

The most prominent open chord is the A minor 7th sus4 (A D D G A E). Other easily accessible shapes include:

• A Power Chord: Simply strumming the 6th (A), 5th (D - a 4th), and 4th (D - a 4th/octave) strings creates a powerful, open sound that can anchor many musical ideas.
• D Chord Forms: By utilizing the open D strings, various D major, minor, or sus chords can be formed with minimal fretting, especially higher up the neck.
• Drone-based melodies: The repeated A and D allow for sustained bass notes or rhythmic patterns while melodic lines are played on the higher strings.
• Wide Voicings: The unique intervals facilitate wide, orchestral-sounding chords across the fretboard, particularly for chord-melody fingerstyle.

How to Tune

When tuning your guitar to Open A Minor 7th Drone, please follow these instructions carefully. Note that significant string tension changes require caution, and for movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is often advised to prevent string breakage or intonation issues.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones from E to A1. (Caution: Significant down-tuning. Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 7 semitones from A to D2. (Caution: Significant down-tuning. Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.