The "Open Em11" Tuning: A Journey into Melancholy

As described, this "Open Em11" tuning is perfect for those seeking to "write emo and be sad to." It crafts a deeply resonant and introspective sonic landscape that immediately evokes a sense of melancholy and emotional depth. When all strings are strummed open, they resolve into a rich, complex E minor 11 chord, offering a lush harmonic foundation without fretting a single note. This makes it incredibly expressive for atmospheric compositions, fingerstyle passages, or simply adding a profound emotional weight to your chord progressions.

Technical Analysis & Chordal Possibilities

This 7-string tuning, from lowest to highest, consists of the notes: A1 – E2 – G2 – B2 – F4# – B3 – D4. The beauty of this setup is that the open strings themselves form a complete E minor 11 (Em11) chord (E, G, B, D, F#, A). This sophisticated chord, with its added 7th, 9th, and 11th extensions, provides a full, yet somber, harmonic palette right from the start. The low A (String 7) acts as a powerful bass foundation, allowing for a flexible root for the E minor 11 or creating interesting inversions.

The inherent shape of this tuning lends itself to various chordal explorations:

• Open Chord Resonance: Simply strumming the open strings delivers a powerful Em11, ideal for sustained pads or arpeggiated figures.
• Movable Shapes: By barring across certain frets, you can transpose the Em11 shape to other minor 11 chords. For instance, a full bar at the 5th fret (assuming the 7th string is now fretted at A) would yield an A minor 11, preserving the rich harmonic character.
• Simplified Voicings: Easily derive simpler minor chords and extensions by omitting certain strings. For example, playing E2-G2-B2-D4 would give you an Em7, or E2-G2-B2-F4# for an Em9(add#11) if String 3 were F#3. The presence of G-B-D on adjacent strings makes minor triads and 7ths very accessible.
• Drone & Melody: The repeated B notes (B2 and B3) and the octave relationship between E2 and the implied E on the 1st string (if tuned to E) can create excellent opportunities for drone notes beneath melodic lines.

How to Tune Your Guitar

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard tuning (assuming a 7-string standard B-E-A-D-G-B-E). Please proceed with care, especially when tuning strings down. Always check string tension and intonation after tuning.

• String 7 (Low A): Tune down 2 semitones. You'll be taking your low B string down to A1.
• String 6 (E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at E2.
• String 5 (G): Tune down 2 semitones. Your A string will become G2.
• String 4 (B): Tune down 3 semitones. Your D string will become B2.
• String 3 (F#): Tune down 1 semitone. Your G string will become F4#. (Note: Tuning down 1 semitone from G3 would typically result in F#3. The target note F4# implies a significant octave jump from standard G3. Always ensure your string gauge can handle such a change.)
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at B3.
• String 1 (D): Tune down 2 semitones. Your high E string will become D4.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings more than 4 semitones (up or down) from their standard pitch, it is generally advised to consider using a different string gauge to maintain proper tension, intonation, and prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument. While most movements in this tuning are within reasonable limits, significant changes like a theoretical octave jump or large downward shifts should be approached with caution.

String 7 (Low A): A1
String 6 (E): E2
String 5 (G): G2
String 4 (B): B2
String 3 (F#): F4#
String 2 (B): B3
String 1 (D): D4