A Deep Dive into the 7-String Alternate Drop A Tuning (A-E-A-D-F#-B-E)

Verbal Analysis: A Resonant & Re-Entrant Beast

This unique 7-string guitar tuning, often referred to as an "Alternate Drop A," offers a powerful and distinct sonic landscape. It's designed as an alternative to a standard 7-string Drop A, aiming to make chord voicings feel more intuitive, similar to a 6-string Drop A setup, but with the added low A string and a high E. The overall feel is heavy, resonant, and perfect for genres demanding extended low range, such as metal, progressive rock, and djent.

One of the most striking features of this tuning is its re-entrant nature: the 3rd string (F#4) is tuned higher than the 2nd string (B3). This creates a unique harmonic texture, where an inner voice jumps unexpectedly high, adding brightness and complexity to what might otherwise be dark voicings, and requiring a different approach to traditional chord shapes.

Technical Analysis: A-E-A-D-F#-B-E Breakdown

The open string notes for this 7-string tuning, from lowest (7th string) to highest (1st string), are:

• 7th String: A1
• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: F#4 (Significantly higher pitch here)
• 2nd String: B3 (Lower in pitch than the 3rd string)
• 1st String: E4

Analyzing the intervals between adjacent strings:

• A1 to E2: Perfect 4th (P4)
• E2 to A2: Perfect 4th (P4)
• A2 to D3: Perfect 4th (P4)
• D3 to F#4: Major 10th (M10, equivalent to a Major 3rd plus an octave higher)
• F#4 to B3: Descending Perfect 4th (P4 down) - This is the re-entrant point, with the 3rd string being higher in pitch than the 2nd.
• B3 to E4: Perfect 4th (P4)

The intervals from the 6th string to the 1st string (E-A-D-F#-B-E, considering the pitch classes rather than exact octaves for F#) indeed share similarities with a 6-string Drop A tuning (A-E-A-D-F#-B), extended by an additional high E. This structure facilitates familiar chord shapes on the higher strings while fully leveraging the extended low range.

Open Chords and Playability

This tuning offers unique harmonic characteristics due to its specific note arrangement:

• Massive Power Chords: The lowest three strings (A-E-A) immediately form a potent A5 power chord, providing a foundational heaviness ideal for metal and hard rock riffs. Barre chords on these strings will sound very full and commanding.
• A Major 6th add 9 Voicing: The full open tuning (A-E-A-D-F#-B-E) presents the notes A, B, D, E, F#. When strummed, these combine to create a rich A Major 6th add 9 chord (A-B-D-E-F#). The re-entrant F#4 and B3 strings give this open chord a distinctive, bright, and somewhat complex voicing that stands out.
• Adapted Familiar Shapes: While the re-entrant F#4-B3 interval requires some adjustment for traditional chord voicings, the consistent Perfect 4th intervals on other adjacent strings mean that many power chord shapes and scale patterns can still be applied effectively. Players will find that the elevated F# string creates unexpected harmonic possibilities within familiar fingerings, encouraging creative exploration and unique melodic contours.

How to Tune Your 7-String Guitar to Alternate Drop A (A-E-A-D-F#-B-E)

For consistency, we'll assume you are starting from a standard 7-string B Standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E). Follow these steps to achieve the Alternate Drop A tuning:

• 7th String (Lowest): A1
  From a B, tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• 6th String: E2
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E2.
• 5th String: A2
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard A2.
• 4th String: D3
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard D3.
• 3rd String: F#4
  From a G, tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String: B3
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard B3.
• 1st String (Highest): E4
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E4.

Important Note on String Gauge: While the string movements in this tuning are relatively minor (within 4 semitones up or down), it is generally advised that for any tuning changes exceeding negative 4 or positive 4 semitones, you should consider using a different gauge string to maintain optimal playability and intonation, and to prevent potential damage to your instrument.