The Gadd9 7-String Tuning: Extended DADGAD Resonance

This intriguing 7-string guitar tuning, aptly named Gadd9 7 String, is built upon the popular DADGAD foundation, expanding its sonic possibilities with an added low B string. The result is a rich, open, and resonant tuning that strongly implies a G Major tonality, making it highly versatile for various musical styles.

Verbal Analysis

The Gadd9 7 String tuning offers a deep and expansive sound palette. The combination of the low B with the DADGAD core creates a powerful resonance, ideal for atmospheric soundscapes, fingerstyle arrangements, and even heavier, progressive genres where extended range is desired. It maintains the characteristic drone-like qualities of DADGAD, providing a rich harmonic canvas for melodies and open voicings. Players will find it encourages exploration of open string harmonies and offers a sense of 'bigness' due to the wide range and resonant intervals. It's particularly well-suited for styles requiring a full, ringing sound, such as Celtic folk, modern acoustic, and ambient music, while the low B opens doors for more aggressive or contemporary sounds.

Technical Analysis

The open notes of this 7-string tuning are:

• 7th String (Lowest): B1
• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String (Highest): D4

This arrangement creates a compelling set of intervals:

• B1 to D2: Minor Third (3 semitones)
• D2 to A2: Perfect Fifth (7 semitones)
• A2 to D3: Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
• D3 to G3: Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
• G3 to A3: Whole Tone (2 semitones)
• A3 to D4: Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)

The tuning contains the notes B, D, A, G, forming a strong G Major tonality with an added 9th (A). The root G is found on the 3rd string, while the low B acts as a strong foundation, often implying a G/B chord or providing a powerful bass note. The repeated D and A notes across several strings offer natural drone possibilities, enhancing the harmonic richness and sustain.

Open Chords & Harmonic Possibilities

Strumming all open strings (B-D-A-D-G-A-D) produces a rich, complex harmony. If we consider G as the root, this tuning naturally presents a beautiful Gadd9 chord (G-B-D-A) across multiple octaves. The low B provides a solid bass for this, effectively making it a Gadd9/B. Due to the pervasive D and A notes, various D suspended chords (Dsus2, Dsus4) and A suspended chords (Asus2, Asus4) are easily accessible with minimal fretting, offering sweet, open sounds. The consistent Perfect Fourth intervals between strings 5-4, 4-3, and 2-1 (A-D, D-G, A-D) make for intuitive chord shapes and power chord voicings that can be moved up and down the neck with relative ease. The distinctive interval between the 3rd and 2nd string (G-A, a whole tone) provides interesting melodic and harmonic clusters, reminiscent of mandolin or violin intervals.

How to Tune

To achieve the Gadd9 7-String tuning, follow these instructions for each string, starting from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st). Please exercise caution when tuning up strings significantly, and consider a different gauge string if movements exceed 4 semitones up or down.

• 7th String (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 6th String (D2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 5th String (A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 1st String (D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

The Gadd9 7-String tuning sets your instrument as follows, from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st) string:

• 7th String: B1
• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: D4