Verbal Analysis:

This tuning, "A Sus4 Minor 7 Drone," is designed to open up new sonic possibilities for guitarists, particularly favoring fingerstyle techniques and creating rich, wide-ranging chords. With its unique arrangement of notes, it provides a deep, resonant drone on A, making it excellent for ambient soundscapes, introspective compositions, and creating a sense of spaciousness. The interplay of the lower A and E with the suspended D and minor 7th G fosters a mysterious and expansive quality, inviting exploration beyond standard chord voicings.

Technical Analysis:

The open string notes for this tuning are A1, E2, D3, G3, A3, E4. When played open, these notes collectively form an A Sus4 Minor 7 chord (A-D-E-G) with doubled roots and fifths, giving it a powerful and full sound. The lowest string provides a strong A root, followed by its perfect fifth (E). The introduction of D on the 4th string creates a characteristic suspended fourth tension, while the G on the 3rd string adds a minor seventh flavor, hinting at blues, jazz, or modal contexts (like A Dorian or A Aeolian). The higher A and E strings reinforce the root and fifth, creating a lush, resonant harmonic foundation.

Chordal Exploration:

• Open Chord: The open strings naturally form a compelling A Sus4 Minor 7 (A-D-E-G). This chord provides a rich, complex texture perfect for starting pieces or as a droning accompaniment.
• Movable Shapes: By barring all strings at any fret, you can easily create movable suspended minor 7th chord shapes across the fretboard, allowing for quick transposition and harmonic movement. For instance, barring at the 2nd fret would yield a B Sus4 Minor 7.
• Easy Reach Chords: The presence of the root (A) and fifth (E) on multiple strings (A1, A3, E2, E4) makes it easy to form power chords and drone notes. Experiment with adding a finger on the 3rd string (G) to find new voicings. For example, playing the 6th, 5th, 4th, 2nd, and 1st strings open (A-E-D-A-E) gives an A Sus2/4. Adding the G on the 3rd string completes the Am7sus4 feel.
• Fingerstyle Potential: The open intervals of a perfect 5th (E2-A3, A1-E2) and 4th (D3-G3) provide excellent opportunities for arpeggiated patterns and sustained notes, making it ideal for fingerstyle arrangements that utilize open strings for resonance.

How to Tune:

To achieve the "A Sus4 Minor 7 Drone" tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these steps carefully:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones from E2 to A1. Caution: This is a significant drop. Consider using a heavier gauge string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. Caution: This is a significant drop. Consider using a heavier gauge string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The D3 string remains at its standard pitch.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The G3 string remains at its standard pitch.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3. This is a moderate adjustment.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The E4 string remains at its standard pitch.

Always tune slowly and check your intonation after changing tunings, especially with significant pitch alterations. For drops greater than 4 semitones, a different string gauge is generally advised for better playability and to prevent string breakage or overly slack strings.

String 6 (Lowest): Tuned to A1. This provides the fundamental root and a deep, resonant bass foundation for the tuning.

String 5: Tuned to E2. This note is the perfect fifth of A, adding harmonic stability and richness to the lower register.

String 4: Tuned to D3. This creates a suspended fourth interval against the root A, introducing a characteristic tension and open quality.

String 3: Tuned to G3. This is the minor seventh of A, contributing a bluesy, soulful, or jazz-inflected character to the overall sound.

String 2: Tuned to A3. This is an octave of the root, reinforcing the tonal center and adding to the drone-like quality.

String 1 (Highest): Tuned to E4. This is the perfect fifth an octave higher than string 5, brightening the top end and completing the open chord voicing.