Verbal Analysis:

This unique 7-string tuning, humorously born out of a moment of creative desperation, offers a distinct sonic landscape. It strays significantly from conventional tunings, leaning towards a dark, resonant, and somewhat experimental sound. The repetition of D# and F# across different octaves provides a rich, layered texture, making it ideal for drone-based music, ambient soundscapes, or heavy, sustained chords. The unexpected dip to B2 in the middle of the string sequence (String 4) adds an element of surprise and can create interesting harmonic tension or rhythmic variations. While this tuning might not lend itself to easy melodic runs following standard patterns, it is perfectly suited for exploration and creating a unique sonic signature, exactly as its creator intended when getting 'bored and tried this out.'

Technical Analysis:

This is a 7-string guitar tuning with the open strings set to A#2 D#3 F#3 B2 D#4 F#4 C#5, from lowest to highest string. This arrangement presents a fascinating blend of close intervals and octaves, built primarily around notes from the D# minor scale (D#, F#, A#, C#) with the addition of B.

Let's break down the intervals between adjacent strings:

• String 7 (A#2) to String 6 (D#3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 6 (D#3) to String 5 (F#3): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
• String 5 (F#3) to String 4 (B2): Descending Perfect 5th (7 semitones down). This is a significant and unusual drop in pitch, creating a wide interval jump in the middle of the tuning.
• String 4 (B2) to String 3 (D#4): Major 10th (16 semitones, or a Major 3rd plus an octave), highlighting a large upward leap.
• String 3 (D#4) to String 2 (F#4): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
• String 2 (F#4) to String 1 (C#5): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)

The tuning prominently features the notes D#, F#, A#, and C#. When played together, these notes form a clear **D# minor 7th chord**. The open strings therefore provide a full, resonant voicing of this chord. With the added B note (String 4), the tuning effectively creates a **D# minor 7 (add b6)**, adding further harmonic color. The repeated D# and F# notes across octaves (D#3, D#4 and F#3, F#4) allow for rich, open voicings and strong harmonic resonance, making the tuning particularly conducive to:

• Playing expansive open D# minor 7th chords with significant depth and sustain.
• Creating drone-like textures and layered sonic environments.
• Exploring modal harmonies centered around D# minor or its relative major, F# major.
• Experimenting with unconventional voicings and arpeggios that leverage the wide interval jumps and repeated notes.

The unique string progression, especially the unexpected drop to B2, encourages players to approach the fretboard differently, potentially unlocking new chord shapes and melodic ideas that would be less intuitive or accessible in more standard tunings.

How to Tune:

To achieve the A#D#F#BD#F#C# tuning on your 7-string guitar, follow these instructions for each string. Please pay close attention to the number of semitones adjusted and consider string gauge recommendations for significant drops.

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune down 1 semitone to A#2.
• String 6: Tune down 1 semitone to D#3.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. Tuning down this many semitones is a significant change and requires care to maintain proper string tension and intonation.
• String 2: Tune down 5 semitones to F#4. Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a very significant change. A different gauge string is strongly advised to maintain optimal tension and tone, and to prevent string floppiness or potential damage to your instrument.
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

Always tune slowly and carefully. After making significant tuning changes, it is recommended to check and adjust your guitar's neck relief and intonation to ensure optimal playability and sound quality.