Verbal Analysis:

The "7 Strings Standard A" tuning plunges your 7-string guitar into a rich, deep sonic landscape. As its name suggests, it establishes 'A' as a foundational note across the instrument, achieved through a significant downtuning of all strings from the standard 7-string setup. This tuning is ideally suited for guitarists seeking a heavy, resonant sound, and is frequently favored in metal, hard rock, and other genres where commanding low-end power is essential. It skillfully preserves familiar intervals on most strings, allowing for relatively easy adaptation for players accustomed to standard tunings, while dramatically extending the lower range for powerful riffs and deep chord voicings.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning is a comprehensive downtuning from the standard 7-string tuning (B E A D G B E), resulting in the open notes of A1-D2-G2-C3-E3-A3-D4. The 'A' root across the tuning provides a strong tonal center for composition.

• Interval Structure: The tuning largely maintains the perfect fourth intervals characteristic of standard tuning for the majority of strings: A1 to D2 (Perfect 4th), D2 to G2 (Perfect 4th), G2 to C3 (Perfect 4th), E3 to A3 (Perfect 4th), and A3 to D4 (Perfect 4th). The key harmonic variation occurs between the 4th and 3rd strings (C3 to E3), which forms a major third. This structure offers a versatile blend of power chord accessibility and melodic flexibility.
• Open Chord Potential: While not a single, simple open major or minor chord, the collective open strings (A, D, G, C, E) robustly support an A minor tonality. The notes A, C, and E form a clear A minor triad, and with the inclusion of D and G, the tuning readily facilitates playing in an A minor pentatonic scale (A-C-D-E-G). The top six strings (D-G-C-E-A-D) also hint at a Dsus4 chord or a Gmaj7 (no 3rd), providing interesting harmonic textures for open string usage.
• Playability: The prevalence of perfect fourth intervals on the lower strings (A1-D2-G2-C3) makes forming wide, resonant power chords extremely efficient and impactful, which is ideal for heavy rhythm guitar work. The major third between C3 and E3 offers a familiar interval for lead guitarists and enables the formation of more intricate chord shapes that leverage this specific interval.

How to Tune:

To achieve the "7 Strings Standard A" tuning from a standard 7-string tuning (B E A D G B E), every string on your guitar must be lowered in pitch. This degree of downtuning will significantly reduce string tension. To maintain optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness, especially for the 3rd string which experiences the largest pitch drop, it is highly recommended to consider using heavier gauge strings than you would for standard tuning.

• 7th String (Low B): Tune down 2 semitones to reach A1. (Original note: B1)
• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D2. (Original note: E2)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to reach G2. (Original note: A2)
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones to reach C3. (Original note: D3)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to reach E3. (Original note: G3) - Note: This is a substantial drop in pitch; heavier gauge strings are particularly advised for this string.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to reach A3. (Original note: B3)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D4. (Original note: E4)

7th String: A1 (Lowest String)
6th String: D2
5th String: G2
4th String: C3
3rd String: E3
2nd String: A3
1st String: D4 (Highest String)