Tuning Analysis: Open G11 / Alternative 7 String

This is a unique and intriguing tuning for a 7-string Guitar, aptly named "Open G11 / Alternative 7 String". As described in its definition, it's a "Weird 7 String Tuning" with "minor intervals between 7th and 6th string." This tuning moves significantly from standard configurations, offering a rich, complex sonic landscape that pushes beyond conventional guitar voicings.

Verbal Description

Verbally, this tuning presents a dark, resonant, and harmonically rich sound. The open strings create a dense chord that fundamentally outlines a G11 chord with a low B bass note. The sequence of notes B1-D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4 creates an interval structure that, when played open, directly yields a full G11 chord (G-B-D-F-A-C) from the 5th string (G2) upwards. The inclusion of the low B1 string adds a powerful, sometimes dissonant or drone-like, low root or bass note, making the full open voicing G11/B. This provides immediate access to sophisticated jazz, blues, or fusion harmonies right out of the box.

The consistent tuning down of the upper six strings by a whole step (2 semitones) means that familiar chord shapes and scale patterns, if applied to the upper six strings, will maintain their relative fingerings but sound a whole step lower in pitch. The distinctive minor third interval between the lowest two strings (B1 to D2) breaks from the more common perfect fourths or fifths found in standard low-string tunings, giving the low end a tighter, more compressed, and unique character suitable for heavy riffs, atmospheric soundscapes, or experimental music.

Due to the open tuning inherently forming a G11 chord (G-B-D-F-A-C), simply barring across the fretboard will produce different G11 chords (e.g., barring at the first fret would yield a G#11). This greatly simplifies playing complex extended harmonies across the fretboard. The prevalence of perfect fourths (D-G, G-C, C-F, A-D) across many of the open strings also lends itself well to modern quartal voicings, offering new harmonic possibilities beyond traditional triadic harmony. This tuning encourages exploration of wider intervalic stretches and provides a rich harmonic foundation without requiring complex fingerings.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for this 7-string Guitar is B1-D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4, listed from the lowest (7th) string to the highest (1st) string. When compared to a standard 7-string tuning (typically B-E-A-D-G-B-E), the most prominent feature is a consistent whole-step (2 semitones) drop for the top six strings, while the lowest B string remains at its standard pitch.

• String 7 (B1): Remains at B1 (no change from standard).
• String 6 (D2): Tuned down from E2 (Standard) by 2 semitones.
• String 5 (G2): Tuned down from A2 (Standard) by 2 semitones.
• String 4 (C3): Tuned down from D3 (Standard) by 2 semitones.
• String 3 (F3): Tuned down from G3 (Standard) by 2 semitones.
• String 2 (A3): Tuned down from B3 (Standard) by 2 semitones.
• String 1 (D4): Tuned down from E4 (Standard) by 2 semitones.

The most significant technical departure in terms of interval relationships is between the 7th and 6th strings. In standard tuning, B to E is a Perfect 4th (5 semitones). In this custom tuning, B1 to D2 is a Minor 3rd (3 semitones), creating a unique, tighter interval in the low end. The remaining intervals from the 6th to 1st strings are: D2 (P4) G2 (P4) C3 (P4) F3 (M3) A3 (P4) D4.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Open G11 / Alternative 7 String" tuning, follow these specific adjustments, starting from a standard 7-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E):

• String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6 (E to D2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (B to A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 1 (E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauge: Each string movement is within the range of -2 semitones. While individual movements do not exceed the -4 or +4 semitone threshold where a different gauge string is strongly advised, tuning down six strings by 2 semitones will result in noticeably lower overall string tension. For optimal playability, feel, and intonation, especially if this tuning is used frequently, you might consider using a slightly heavier gauge set of strings to compensate for this reduced tension.

The notes for the Open G11 / Alternative 7 String tuning, from the lowest (7th) string to the highest (1st) string, are:

• String 7: B1
• String 6: D2
• String 5: G2
• String 4: C3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: A3
• String 1: D4