The 'Open Am7' tuning offers a rich, resonant sound, instantly providing an Am7 chord when all open strings are strummed. As the creator noted, this tuning was achieved by mixing high and low gauge strings, a practice highly recommended for the significant pitch changes involved. Interestingly, the top three strings alone form a bright C major chord, offering a versatile palette for melodic and harmonic exploration.

Technical Analysis

This tuning transforms the standard E-A-D-G-B-E into A1-E2-G2-C3-E3-G4. The open string configuration creates an Am7 chord (A, C, E, G) across multiple octaves, providing a full and deep voicing:

• String 6 (A1): Root (A)
• String 5 (E2): Perfect 5th (E)
• String 4 (G2): Minor 7th (G)
• String 3 (C3): Minor 3rd (C)
• String 2 (E3): Perfect 5th (E)
• String 1 (G4): Minor 7th (G)

The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly interesting, providing unique harmonic possibilities:

• String 6 to 5 (A1 to E2): Perfect 5th
• String 5 to 4 (E2 to G2): Minor 3rd
• String 4 to 3 (G2 to C3): Perfect 4th
• String 3 to 2 (C3 to E3): Major 3rd
• String 2 to 1 (E3 to G4): Minor 3rd

This configuration makes barre chords across all strings immediately accessible as different minor 7th voicings. For instance, a single-finger barre at the 1st fret would yield a Bbm7, and at the 2nd fret, a Bm7. The high C major chord on strings 1-3 facilitates melodic playing and easy access to C major-based voicings and inversions.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Open Am7' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments. Please note the significant changes, which may require different string gauges for optimal tension and playability.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. (Note: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. (Note: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 7 semitones to G2. (Note: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 7 semitones to C3. (Note: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 7 semitones to E3. (Note: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 3 semitones to G4. (Note: Tune with care, as this is a noticeable increase in tension.)

Given the extensive tuning down for most strings (exceeding 4 semitones), using an appropriate string gauge set is strongly recommended to maintain proper string tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

String 6: A1

String 5: E2

String 4: G2

String 3: C3

String 2: E3

String 1: G4