Verbal Description

The "Open Bm6/9" tuning transforms your 7-string guitar into a rich, sophisticated sonic palette, perfect for jazz, R&B, progressive rock, or any genre seeking a harmonically complex minor tonality. As its name suggests, when strummed open, this tuning immediately resolves to a full B minor 6/9 chord, offering a lush and complete sound without needing to fret a single note. The inclusion of the 6th (G#) and 9th (C#) adds a distinctive open and airy quality, elevating the standard minor chord to something more intricate and evocative. This tuning provides a fantastic foundation for exploring sophisticated voicings, arpeggios, and melodies that naturally fit within the Bm6/9 harmony.

The open strings lay out a beautiful melodic and harmonic landscape. Sliding into related chords like G#m7b5 or C#m7 could be surprisingly accessible due to the close voicings of certain strings. The wide range, from the low B1 on the 7th string to the D4 on the 1st string, offers ample room for both deep bass lines and shimmering high voicings. This setup encourages creative exploration, making complex jazz chords feel more intuitive and accessible across the fretboard.

Technical Breakdown

This is a 7-string guitar tuning with the following open notes, from lowest to highest string:

• 7th String: B1 (Root)
• 6th String: D2 (Minor 3rd)
• 5th String: F#3 (Perfect 5th)
• 4th String: C#4 (Major 9th / Major 2nd)
• 3rd String: G#4 (Major 6th)
• 2nd String: B3 (Octave Root)
• 1st String: D4 (Minor 10th / Minor 3rd an octave up)

When played open, these notes collectively form a complete Bm6/9 chord (B - D - F# - G# - C#). The specific voicing across the strings is quite lush, with the low B providing a strong root, followed by the minor third, fifth, ninth, sixth, and then an octave root and minor tenth. This arrangement provides a powerful harmonic foundation that resonates beautifully.

How to Tune (from Standard 7-String B-E-A-D-G-B-E)

To achieve the Open Bm6/9 tuning, adjust your strings as follows. Please exercise caution, especially with significant pitch changes. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is generally advised to ensure string integrity and optimal tension.

• 7th String (Low B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is B1.
• 6th String (E): Tune down 2 semitones. The target note is D2. This is a moderate adjustment.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note is F#3. This is a moderate adjustment.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note is C#4. This is a minor adjustment.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone. The target note is G#4. This is a minor adjustment.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones. The target note is D4. This is a moderate adjustment.