Analysis of Goblin's Deep B Drone Tuning

This unique tuning, prominently featured in atmospheric compositions like Lasse Lindh's "Hush" from the Goblin OST, creates a deeply resonant and brooding soundscape. It's meticulously crafted to provide a rich, drone-like foundation with specific harmonic colors that evoke a sense of mystery and introspection.

Verbal Description

"Goblin's Deep B Drone" immediately immerses the listener in a dark and expansive sonic environment. The tuning is defined by an incredibly low B on the thickest string, establishing a weighty bottom end that is both grounding and foreboding. An intriguing interplay of B, A, F#, and E across the open strings contributes to a sound that is simultaneously spacious and intensely focused. The repeated B notes (String 6, String 4, String 2) create a powerful, sustained drone, while the presence of the A (a minor 7th relative to B) and E (an 11th) adds a melancholic, slightly suspended, and modal quality. This tuning encourages an exploration of open string resonance and lends itself beautifully to ambient, cinematic, or heavy low-end genres.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: B1 A2 B2 F#4 B3 E4 (from thickest to thinnest string).

Analysing the intervals from the root B (String 6):

• String 6 (B1): Root
• String 5 (A2): Minor 7th (10 semitones above B1, one octave higher than the expected minor 7th)
• String 4 (B2): Octave Root (2 semitones above A2)
• String 3 (F#4): Perfect 5th (7 semitones above B2)
• String 2 (B3): Octave Root (5 semitones above F#4)
• String 1 (E4): Perfect 4th / 11th (5 semitones above B3)

The open tuning effectively presents a B minor 7th (add 11) chord (B - A - F# - E), with multiple B roots reinforcing the tonic. This rich harmonic cluster, with its resonant B drone, naturally provides a full, textured sound without requiring complex fingerings. The prominent minor seventh (A) imbues it with a bluesy or modal character, while the perfect fourth (E) creates a yearning or suspended quality that adds to its atmospheric depth.

Chordal Possibilities and Fingerboard Insights

• The open strings themselves form a beautiful, full chord, allowing for immediate access to rich harmonies through simple strumming, arpeggiation, and sustained drones.
• Power chords (root-fifth-octave) are incredibly potent and easily formed, especially with the B-B-F# relationship across Strings 6, 4, and 3. A single finger barring across these strings at any fret will yield powerful root-octave-fifth combinations, perfect for heavy riffs.
• Due to the strong B and A open strings, barre chords will resonate profoundly. A single finger barring across the lower strings (e.g., Strings 6, 5, 4) at any fret can produce interesting modal chords and textures over the existing drone.
• Experimenting with the 3rd string (F#) is key to unlocking different harmonic colors. Moving it to G (1st fret) or G# (2nd fret) can introduce minor 3rds or major 3rds, respectively, transforming the open chord into a variety of minor, major, or suspended voicings, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood.
• The high E string provides a bright, contrasting element and can be effectively used for melodic lines, sparkling upper extensions, or chiming harmonics that cut through the deep resonance of the lower strings.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Goblin's Deep B Drone

Proceed with caution, especially when tuning strings significantly down or up. If a string needs to be tuned down by more than 4 semitones or up by more than 4 semitones, it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to avoid undue tension or looseness, which could affect playability and string longevity.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B1. This is a substantial drop, so proceed slowly and ensure your string can handle the reduced tension.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E to E4.