The Roger Filiberto Open E7 is a specialized Guitar tuning, famously used by Roger Filiberto in his method book, particularly for lap steel applications. This tuning transforms your guitar into an instrument perfectly voiced for blues, slide, and open-chord playing, offering a rich and resonant sound.

Technical Analysis

This is an Open E7 tuning, meaning that when all strings are strummed open, they produce an E7 chord. The notes, from low to high, are B2-D3-E3-G#4-B3-E4. The underlying chord structure present in this open tuning is E (root), G# (major third), B (perfect fifth), and D (minor seventh). The strategic doubling of the B and E notes across different octaves provides a full, harmonically rich voicing that rings beautifully.

The open E7 chord provides a fantastic foundation for slide guitar, as moving a slide across any fret will instantly yield a new 7th chord. For instance, sliding to the first fret creates an F7 chord, and the second fret gives you an F#7. This makes complex chord progressions accessible with minimal finger movement, allowing for expressive melodic and rhythmic playing.

How to Tune

To achieve the Roger Filiberto Open E7 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements carefully:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 7 semitones from E2 to B2. Caution: Tuning up 7 semitones is a significant change. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and to prevent breakage.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 5 semitones from A2 to D3. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and to prevent breakage.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D3 to E3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone from G3 to G#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage, especially with the larger semitone adjustments.