The Open Em11 tuning for a 7-string guitar is a rich, complex, and deeply melancholic setup, perfect for exploring dark, atmospheric, and emotive soundscapes. As its original description suggests, it's tailored for "writing emo and being sad to," offering a full, open Em11 chord when strummed without fretting.

Technical Analysis

This tuning leverages a 7-string instrument to create a dense, extended harmony. The open strings, from lowest to highest, are A1 E2 G2 B2 F#4 A3 D4. When considering strings 6 through 1 (E2 G2 B2 F#4 A3 D4), we find the notes E, G, B, D, F#, A. This directly spells out an E minor 11 (Em11) chord (E - root, G - minor 3rd, B - perfect 5th, D - minor 7th, F# - major 9th, A - perfect 11th). The inclusion of the low A1 on the 7th string adds a resonant pedal tone, reinforcing the 11th of the Em11 chord in a lower register, or providing an alternative modal center (e.g., A Dorian).

The intervals between the open strings are unconventional, creating unique melodic and harmonic possibilities:

• String 7 (A1) to String 6 (E2): A perfect 5th up.
• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (G2): A minor 3rd up.
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (B2): A major 3rd up.
• String 4 (B2) to String 3 (F#4): A perfect 5th up, spanning an octave (B2 to F#3 then F#3 to F#4). This is a very wide interval, creating a distinct sonic jump.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (A3): A minor 3rd down.
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): A perfect 4th up.

This complex arrangement makes standard chord shapes challenging but opens up new voicings and arpeggios. Barre chords based on the open Em11 shape will yield minor 11th chords across the fretboard. The wide interval between String 4 and String 3 suggests exploring partial voicings and drones. The overall character is dark, jazzy, and ideal for progressive metal, ambient, or, as intended, deeply emotional music.

How to Tune

When preparing your 7-string guitar for Open Em11, you'll be making several adjustments from a standard tuning. Most of these involve tuning down, which generally poses less risk to string tension than tuning up significantly. The movements are well within the safe range for standard gauge strings.

• String 7 (lowest): Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• String 6: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• String 5: Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2: Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (highest): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

These adjustments are minor to moderate. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is typically advised. However, all adjustments for this tuning are within 3 semitones, making it generally safe for most standard string sets. Always tune carefully and check intonation after making significant changes.

String 7: A1

String 6: E2

String 5: G2

String 4: B2

String 3: F#4

String 2: A3

String 1: D4