Verbal Analysis:

The "A# Heavy Dissonance" tuning is a unique and unconventional setup for a 7-string guitar, designed to create a dark, aggressive, and complex sonic landscape. Starting with a very low A# on the 7th string, it establishes a deep, guttural foundation often favored in heavy music genres. The subsequent D# and A# on strings 6 and 5 reinforce this low power, providing a robust base for riffs and power chords. However, the tuning quickly diverges from standard harmonic structures with the introduction of C#, G#, C, and F on the higher strings.

This is not an "open chord" tuning in the traditional sense; strumming all open strings will produce a rich, highly dissonant, and clustered sound. It's perfectly suited for experimental metal, industrial, progressive, or ambient music where tension, atmosphere, and unconventional voicings are paramount. While standard chord shapes will likely be rendered impractical, the tuning invites creative exploration with single-note lines, two- or three-string power chords on the lower register, and unique arpeggios that highlight its inherent tension. Players will find themselves discovering new melodic and harmonic possibilities, leveraging the close intervals and unexpected relationships between strings to carve out distinctive sonic textures.

Technical Analysis:

This 7-string tuning sets the notes as follows: A#2 D#3 A#3 C#4 G#4 C4 F4 (from low to high).

• The lowest three strings (A#2, D#3, A#3) form an A# power chord (Root, Perfect 4th, Octave), providing a formidable low-end punch.
• Analyzing the intervals from the lowest A#2: D#3 is a Perfect 4th, A#3 is an Octave, C#4 is a Minor 3rd, G#4 is a Minor 7th. These notes (A#, C#, G#) combined with D# (a Perfect 4th or Sus4) strongly suggest an A# Minor 7th Sus4 tonality in the lower-mid register.
• The introduction of C4 and F4 in the higher register creates significant tension and color. C4 is a Major 2nd (or 9th) from A#2, while F4 is a Diminished 5th from A#2, or a Perfect 4th from C4.
• The overall intervallic structure, especially the close proximity of notes like G#4 and C4, and A#3 and C#4, leads to a highly clustered and dissonant sound when all strings are played open. This makes it an ideal tuning for creating unsettling drones, complex polyphonic textures, or driving, low-register riffs that benefit from dense harmonic clashes.
• Chord Voicings: While open strumming is dissonant, the low A# D# A# allows for heavy, open A# power chords. Exploring triads and partial chords across non-adjacent strings will unlock the tuning's unique harmonic potential. For instance, playing A#2, C#4, and G#4 could yield an A# minor 7th voicing. The C4 and F4 invite experimentation with added dissonances.

The final notes for each string (from thickest to thinnest) are:

• 7th String: A2#
• 6th String: D3#
• 5th String: A3#
• 4th String: C4#
• 3rd String: G4#
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String: F4

How to Tune:

To achieve the "A# Heavy Dissonance" tuning from a standard starting point, adjust each string as follows:

• 7th String (A2#): Tune down 1 semitone.
• 6th String (D3#): Tune down 1 semitone.
• 5th String (A3#): Tune up 1 semitone.
• 4th String (C4#): Tune down 1 semitone.
• 3rd String (G4#): Tune up 1 semitone.
• 2nd String (C4): Tune up 1 semitone.
• 1st String (F4): Tune up 1 semitone.

Important Note on String Tension: All movements in this tuning are by a single semitone, which is generally safe for your guitar and strings. However, as a general precaution, when tuning strings up or down by 3 or 4 semitones, always proceed with care. For any tunings requiring movements of 5 semitones or more (either up or down), it is strongly recommended to consider using a different gauge of strings to avoid damage to your instrument or premature string breakage.