The 7-String Lap Steel D6 is a classic and versatile reentrant tuning for 7-string lap steel guitars, offering a rich harmonic foundation perfect for a variety of genres. As noted in its description, this tuning functions as both a D6 and a Bm7 chord. A specific clarification often associated with this tuning is: "The string labeled ‘B2’ is actually ‘B3’", referring to a common understanding or naming convention related to a B string in this setup.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a tuning that instantly transports you to the golden age of Hawaiian music, Western Swing, or a smoky jazz club. That's the essence of the D6. When strummed open, this tuning sings a beautiful, full D6 chord, which can also be interpreted as a lush B minor 7th. This makes it incredibly intuitive for improvisation and finding melodic lines, as many common chord voicings are readily available with minimal effort. The reentrant nature, where some higher strings are tuned lower than their neighbors, creates a unique sonic landscape, allowing for close voicings and shimmering arpeggios that are difficult to achieve in standard tunings. It's a tuning that encourages lyrical playing and expressive slides, making it a favorite for those seeking a smooth, vocal quality from their instrument. The open chord provides a rich harmonic bed, making it easy to create vibrant textures and melodic phrases without extensive fretting.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning, from lowest to highest pitch (String 7 to String 1), are: B1, D2, A2, D3, F4#, A3, D4.

This configuration is explicitly a reentrant tuning. This is most evident with the 3rd string (F4#) which is tuned significantly higher in pitch than the 2nd string (A3) and the 1st string (D4), breaking the typical linear ascent of pitch from lowest to highest string.

• The tuning perfectly forms an open D6 chord when all strings are played together. The notes D, F#, A, and B are strategically distributed across multiple octaves (B1, D2, A2, D3, F4#, A3, D4), providing a full and resonant voicing of D6 (D-F#-A-B).
• Alternatively, it can be perceived as an open Bm7 chord (B-D-F#-A), highlighting its versatility for both major and minor harmonic contexts. This dual nature allows for easy transitions between related keys.
• The strategic placement of octaves and fifths (e.g., multiple D's and A's) provides a strong harmonic anchor and facilitates easy movement across the fretboard for common chord shapes and melodic runs. Scales like the D Major or B Minor pentatonic will feel very natural over this open tuning, offering immediate musicality.

Tuning Notes

• String 7: B1 (Lowest Pitch)
• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: F4# (Note: This string is notably higher in pitch than String 2 and String 1, creating the reentrant characteristic.)
• String 2: A3
• String 1: D4 (Highest Pitch)

How to Tune

To achieve the 7-String Lap Steel D6 tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string. The movements are relative to an assumed standard tuning for a 7-string lap steel or a reference point where these adjustments lead to the specified final notes.

• String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6 (D2): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (F4#): Tune down 1 semitone to F4#.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (D4): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

All string adjustments are within a small range (-2 to 0 semitones), so a change in string gauge is generally not required for this tuning, ensuring comfortable playability with standard string sets.