Tuning Analysis: Open A add 4 (7-string)

This unique 7-string guitar tuning, 'Open A add 4 (7-str)', offers a rich and expansive sonic palette, built around the key of A major with a distinctive added fourth (D) and an unusually bright high C#.

Verbal Description

Envision a guitar with a profound, authoritative low end, characteristic of a 7-string instrument, which then evolves into a shimmering, open A major chord. The inclusion of the D note on the sixth string introduces a layer of harmonic complexity, giving the open voicing an Aadd4 or Aadd11 quality. The striking C#5 on the first string delivers a brilliant, almost bell-like top end, perfect for melodic embellishments or extended chord voicings. This tuning feels incredibly broad and versatile, capable of producing powerful, driving rhythms with its low A and D, alongside intricate and sparkling chordal textures. It's designed to provide solid bass notes for I, IV, and V chords (A, D, E), making it exceptionally functional for blues, rock, and even more experimental genres rooted in A.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are: A1-D2-E2-A2-E3-A3-C#5. Analytically, this forms an A major triad (A, C#, E) distributed across the fretboard. The multiple A notes (A1, A2, A3) establish a strong root presence, while the E notes (E2, E3) provide robust perfect fifths. The C#5 on the first string delivers the major third, but at a significantly higher octave than typical, creating a very bright, almost piano-like resonance on that string. The D2 on the sixth string is the crucial 'add 4' (or 'add 11') component, enriching the open chord with a suspended or a spacious, folky character. This open A configuration, as indicated in the original description, is excellent for improvising and composing in the key of A, with the root (A), fourth (D), and fifth (E) being inherently available as open strings, simplifying the construction of common chord progressions.

Chords and Playability

With the open strings forming an Aadd4/Aadd11 chord, many chords in the key of A become intuitive to play. Simple barre chords across the fretboard will yield various voicings of A, D, and E chords. For instance, a barre at the 5th fret would likely produce a Dadd4/Dadd11 shape. The low A1 and D2 strings make for incredibly powerful and resonant power chords and drone effects. The high C#5 offers a unique tonal color for lead lines, arpeggios, or intricate fingerstyle passages, suggesting a focus on the higher registers of the instrument. The tuning's structure lends itself well to genres requiring a deep, driving low end coupled with open, ringing chordal harmonies. The original description highlights the necessity for a .068" string for the 7th string on a 26.5" scale to cope with the lower tension and maintain intonation effectively.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Open A add 4 (7-str)' tuning from a standard 7-string tuning (B1-E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4):

• String 7 (Low B): Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• String 6 (E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#4. (Note: The final target open note for this string, as listed in the tuning notes, is C#5. This indicates an octave higher than what would be achieved by simply tuning down 3 semitones from E4. Please tune carefully to the desired C#5 pitch, possibly implying an intentional octave shift or a different standard starting note for this string.)

Important Considerations: Several strings in this tuning require significant adjustments downwards. Tuning strings 5 and 4 down by 5 semitones will substantially reduce string tension. For any string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is strongly advised to consider using a different string gauge. This helps maintain proper string tension, ensures accurate intonation, and prevents potential damage to your instrument or strings. The tuning's original description explicitly recommends a .068" string for the 7th string on a 26.5" scale for optimal performance.

The open notes for the 'Open A add 4 (7-str)' tuning are arranged as follows (from the lowest/thickest string to the highest/thinnest string):

• String 7: A1
• String 6: D2
• String 5: E2
• String 4: A2
• String 3: E3
• String 2: A3
• String 1: C5#