The "B drop D" tuning transforms your Guitar into a powerful, low-end machine, designed for heavy and expansive soundscapes. As described, it essentially mirrors a 7-string guitar in Drop D, but adapted for a standard 6-string instrument by omitting the highest string. This distinctive tuning has been notably featured in albums such as "3 Gods and Me" and "The New Elevator," indicating its suitability for progressive and heavy musical contexts.

Technical Analysis: Open Notes and Chordal Possibilities

The open tuning presents the notes B1-D2-A2-D3-F4#-B3. This arrangement creates a rich, complex harmonic foundation. Striking all open strings yields the notes B, D, A, and F#, which collectively form a B minor 7th chord (Bm7). This provides an inherently melancholic yet powerful open voicing, ready for atmospheric and heavy riffs.

• The lowest string, B1, provides an exceptionally deep bass foundation, typically found on 7-string guitars.
• The D2-A2-D3 sequence on strings 5, 4, and 3 is a key feature, mirroring the "Drop D" configuration. This makes it incredibly easy to play D power chords (D5) or octave voicings with a single finger barring these strings. This pattern can be effortlessly shifted up and down the neck to create other power chords (e.g., C5 at the 10th fret on string 6, 8th fret on strings 5,4,3; or E5 at the 2nd fret on strings 5,4,3).
• The combination of strings 6, 5, and 2 (B1, D2, F4#) provides the root, minor third, and perfect fifth, forming an open B minor triad.
• The higher strings (3, 2, 1: D3, F4#, B3) also articulate a B minor triad in an inverted voicing, further enhancing the harmonic capabilities within this key.
• Overall, the tuning is well-suited for heavy riffing due to the low B string and accessible power chord shapes, while the B minor 7th quality offers a nuanced palette for melodic and chordal work within the B minor key.

How to Tune Your Guitar for B Drop D

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the substantial down-tuning on all strings; for optimal tone, intonation, and string tension, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge set of strings specifically designed for low tunings.

• 6th String (Low E to B1): Tune down 5 semitones (2 and a half steps).
• 5th String (A to D2): Tune down 7 semitones (3 and a half steps).
• 4th String (D to A2): Tune down 5 semitones (2 and a half steps).
• 3rd String (G to D3): Tune down 5 semitones (2 and a half steps).
• 2nd String (B to F4#): Tune down 5 semitones (2 and a half steps).
• 1st String (High E to B3): Tune down 5 semitones (2 and a half steps).

Given that all strings are tuned down 5 semitones or more (exceeding the recommended +/- 4 semitone range), a different gauge string set is strongly advised to maintain playability, proper intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage or damage to your instrument from insufficient tension.

Here are the notes for each string, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st):

• 6th String: B1 (Low B)
• 5th String: D2 (D below middle C)
• 4th String: A2 (A below middle C)
• 3rd String: D3 (Middle C's D)
• 2nd String: F4# (F sharp above middle C)
• 1st String: B3 (B above middle C)