The tuning, aptly named "B diminished triad," is a highly creative and dark 7-string guitar setup, as described by its creator ABiss. It deviates significantly from standard tunings to explore new sonic territories.

Verbal Analysis

This unique tuning immediately strikes with a dark, resonant, and somewhat unsettling character. The lowest three strings (B1-D2-F2) form a perfect B diminished triad when played open, providing an instant foundation for tense, moody, or heavy compositions. Extending this, the open notes B1, D2, F2, and A3 combine to create a full B half-diminished 7th chord (Bø7), offering a sophisticated, dissonant, and jazzy-yet-dark harmonic texture straight out of the open strings. The duplicated D3 and F3 notes reinforce these diminished qualities in higher octaves, adding density, while the high E4 creates an interesting tension or a suspended quality, perhaps hinting at a wider modal context.

As its creator suggests, this tuning is exceptional for:

• Atmospheric Music: The inherent dissonance and wide voicings are perfect for creating ambient soundscapes, cinematic tension, or experimental textures.
• Metal and Doom: The low B1 combined with the diminished and half-diminished intervals lends itself incredibly well to heavy, dark, and sludgy riffs, especially where dissonance and gloom are desired.
• Creative Chords: Players will be forced to rethink traditional chord shapes, leading to the discovery of fresh, unexpected voicings and harmonic ideas that would be difficult or impossible to achieve in standard tuning. The open B half-diminished 7th provides a strong starting point for improvisation and composition within this unique harmonic landscape.

Technical Analysis

This is a 7-string guitar tuning. Starting from the lowest string (String 7) to the highest (String 1), the notes are:

B1 - D2 - F2 - D3 - F3 - A3 - E4

Compared to a standard 7-string tuning (B E A D G B E), this tuning features several significant adjustments:

• String 7 (B1) and String 4 (D3) and String 1 (E4) remain at their standard pitches.
• String 6 is tuned down two semitones from E2 to D2.
• String 5 is tuned down four semitones from A2 to F2. This is a substantial drop.
• String 3 is tuned down two semitones from G3 to F3.
• String 2 is tuned down two semitones from B3 to A3.

The open strings present the following distinct notes: B, D, F, A, E. The prominent intervals include:

• String 7 to String 6: Minor Third (B1 to D2)
• String 6 to String 5: Minor Third (D2 to F2)
• String 5 to String 4: Major Sixth (F2 to D3) - a very wide interval, opening up unique voicings.
• String 4 to String 3: Minor Third (D3 to F3)
• String 3 to String 2: Major Third (F3 to A3)
• String 2 to String 1: Perfect Fourth (A3 to E4)

The tuning's structure emphasizes diminished and minor sonorities, particularly with the B diminished triad on the lowest strings and the B half-diminished 7th chord across strings 7, 6, 5, and 2. The significant re-tunings, especially the -4 semitones on string 5, will alter string tension and feel, potentially requiring a heavier gauge string for optimal performance, especially if played with aggressive picking or lower action. This tuning offers a rich canvas for exploration outside conventional harmony.

How to Tune to B diminished triad

This tuning is for a 7-string guitar. Please refer to the specific string movements below to achieve the "B diminished triad" tuning. Take care when adjusting string tension.

• String 7 (Lowest String - B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6 (D2): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard E2 pitch.
• String 5 (F2): Tune down 4 semitones from its standard A2 pitch. Caution: A drop of 4 semitones is significant. Consider using a heavier gauge string for this string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 4 (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (F3): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard G3 pitch.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard B3 pitch.
• String 1 (Highest String - E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Remember to tune slowly and check your intonation after all strings are at their desired pitch. For string drops exceeding 4 semitones, a different gauge string is generally advised to prevent floppiness and maintain sound quality.