Verbal Analysis

This unique 7-string tuning, aptly named "7 String Open B Major," is explicitly designed for the intricate and often shimmering soundscapes of midwest emo. The player's desire for an open tuning on a 7-string hints at a need for both deep, resonant lows and sparkling, harmonically rich chords that are easy to form. Open tunings are a hallmark of genres favoring complex arpeggios, fingerstyle melodies, and lush, sustained chords. By creating an open B Major, the tuning provides an immediate, full-bodied chord when strummed, perfect for crafting emotive and expansive sonic textures.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are set as B1-D3#-B2-D4#-F4#-B3-D5# (from low to high string). Upon inspection, these notes consist solely of B, D#, and F#, which are the root, major third, and perfect fifth of a B Major triad. This confirms the tuning is a true Open B Major, designed to resonate with the harmonic brilliance of the B Major scale.

Analyzing the intervals between strings reveals a complex but harmonically rich layout:

• String 7 (B1) to String 6 (D3#): A wide Major Tenth (Major Third plus an octave). This creates a powerful, expansive feel from the lowest strings.
• String 6 (D3#) to String 5 (B2): A descending Minor Sixth, adding a unique, almost inverted quality to the lower midrange.
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (D4#): Another Major Tenth, mirroring the lower string interval and adding to the richness.
• String 4 (D4#) to String 3 (F4#): A standard Major Third, a common interval for clear chord voicings.
• String 3 (F4#) to String 2 (B3): A Perfect Fourth, frequently used in open tunings for melodic runs and power chord shapes.
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (D5#): A final Major Tenth, completing the spread and providing a bright, high-octave D#.

  The presence of multiple B (B1, B2, B3) and D# (D3#, D4#, D5#) notes across different octaves provides immense harmonic density and makes for incredibly full chord voicings, while the single F# (F4#) anchors the perfect fifth. This tuning offers a vast dynamic range, from the rumbling B1 to the shimmering D5#.

  Open Chords & Playability

  • Instant B Major: Strumming all seven open strings yields a deeply resonant B Major chord, making it effortless to play in the key of B.
  • Sliding Major Chords: By barring a single finger across all strings at any given fret, you can easily create other Major chords. For instance, barring at the 1st fret gives you a C Major, the 2nd fret a C# Major, and so on. This simplifies chord progressions dramatically.
  • Rich Arpeggios: The open B Major structure facilitates fluid and resonant arpeggios, which are highly characteristic of midwest emo's melodic style.
  • Creative Voicings: The unique string intervals and octave repeats encourage experimentation with intricate fingerpicking patterns and extended chord voicings, perfect for adding complexity and emotional depth.
  • Droning & Sustain: The abundance of B and D# notes allows for natural sympathetic resonance and sustained drone notes, creating a full and ethereal sound.

  How to Tune

  To achieve this rich 7-string Open B Major tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the instructions below. Generally, tuning up 3 or 4 semitones requires care, and movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down might suggest a different gauge string for optimal performance and string longevity. However, for this specific tuning, all movements are within a safe range for standard strings:

  • String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
  • String 6 (D3#): Tune down 1 semitone.
  • String 5 (B2): Tune up 2 semitones.
  • String 4 (D4#): Tune up 1 semitone.
  • String 3 (F4#): Tune down 1 semitone.
  • String 2 (B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
  • String 1 (D5#): Tune down 1 semitone.

String 7: B1

String 6: D3#

String 5: B2

String 4: D4#

String 3: F4#

String 2: B3

String 1: D5#