The Open B Minor tuning, famously utilized by Peter Ciluzzi in his piece Abyssal, transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape perfectly suited for introspective and atmospheric compositions. This is a true open tuning, meaning that when all strings are strummed open, they produce a rich and full B minor chord. This provides an immediate harmonic foundation, making it incredibly accessible for songwriting and improvisation within the key of B minor.

Technically, the open strings are tuned to B1-B2-D3-F4#-B3-D4 (low to high). This arrangement strategically places the root (B), minor third (D), and perfect fifth (F#) of the B minor triad across the instrument, often doubled at different octaves. The close proximity of the two B notes (strings 6 and 5) and the two D notes (strings 4 and 1) creates a powerful drone effect and allows for expansive chord voicings with minimal effort. Barring across any fret will instantly yield a minor chord (e.g., barring at the 2nd fret would give you C# minor). This makes exploring chord progressions within the minor key remarkably intuitive. The tuning is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, allowing the notes to ring out and create lush, harmonically dense textures.

The guitar strings are tuned as follows, from lowest to highest pitch:

• String 6: B1
• String 5: B2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: F4#
• String 2: B3
• String 1: D4

How to Tune

To achieve the Open B Minor tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. (Note: As this is a significant adjustment of 5 semitones down, a heavier gauge string might be advisable for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note for this string is F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.