This is a powerful and versatile 7-string guitar tuning, famously utilized by progressive metal and djent pioneers such as Mark Holcomb, Misha Mansoor, Jake Bowen, and Adam "Nolly" Getgood. It's fundamentally a Drop A tuning, optimized for heavy riffs, extended harmonic possibilities, and a rich, full sound even with open strings.

Technical Analysis & Open Chords

The open tuning of A1-E2-A2-C#4-E3-B3-E4 (from lowest to highest string) forms an Aadd9 chord. This sophisticated voicing is constructed from the root (A), fifth (E), octave (A), major third (C#), fifth (E), ninth (B), and octave (E). This arrangement provides an immediate harmonic richness and depth, making it suitable for both crushing low-end riffs and intricate, extended harmonies:

• Drop A Foundation: The dropped 7th string to A1 provides a thunderous low end, perfect for aggressive, single-note riffing and heavy breakdowns. Its pairing with the E2 on the 6th string creates a powerful perfect fifth.
• Easy Power Chords: The open 7th, 6th, and 5th strings (A1, E2, A2) are tuned in a way that allows for easy one-finger power chords by barring a single fret across these lowest strings. For example, barring the 3rd fret yields a C5 chord (C-G-C).
• Major Tonality & Extensions: The presence of C#4 on the 4th string immediately establishes a major tonality, allowing for bright, open chords and arpeggios that beautifully contrast with the low fundamental. The B3 on the 2nd string provides the crucial 9th, adding a modern, extended feel to the open A chord.
• Drone & Resonance: The numerous open E and A notes (A1, E2, A2, E3, E4) create excellent opportunities for drone notes, allowing melodies and riffs to be played over a sustained harmonic bed, enhancing resonance.
• Chordal Adaptability: While standard chord shapes will need significant adjustment, the unique open string voicings and the consistent intervals on the lower strings open up new, creative pathways for chord construction, particularly for suspended (sus2/sus4) and extended (add9) voicings.

How to Tune Your Guitar

This tuning involves several changes from the common standard 7-string B-Standard (B-E-A-D-G-B-E). Please proceed with care, especially with significant pitch changes. While movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down often advise a different string gauge, for this specific tuning, the maximum change is 3 semitones down, which should be manageable with standard string gauges. Always tune slowly and progressively to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument.

• 7th String (Lowest): Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• 6th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• 5th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• 4th String: Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String: Tune down 3 semitones to E3. This is a moderate change, adjust slowly.
• 2nd String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• 1st String (Highest): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

The target notes for each string in this tuning are as follows, from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st):

• 7th String: A1
• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: C#4
• 3rd String: E3
• 2nd String: B3
• 1st String: E4