The Open B Augmented Tuning is a unique and resonant guitar tuning that offers a bright, often suspenseful, and rich sonic palette. It's built upon the structure of an augmented triad, creating an intriguing soundscape when strummed open. This tuning can inspire fresh melodic and harmonic ideas, moving beyond conventional major and minor frameworks, and is well-suited for adding dramatic or ethereal textures to your music.

Technical Analysis

This tuning centers around a B Augmented chord. The notes across the six strings, from low to high, are B2, D#4, G3, B3, D#5, and G4. The `tuning_description` states that "Each string is a Major third apart." This refers to the intervallic structure of the underlying augmented triad itself: B to D# is a Major Third, D# to G (enharmonically F double-sharp) is also a Major Third, and G to B is a Major Third, completing the cycle of an augmented triad. This creates a symmetrical, repeating pattern.

However, when considering the precise adjacent string intervals and their specific octaves:

• The interval from the 6th string (B2) to the 5th string (D#4) is a Major Third plus an octave.
• The interval from the 5th string (D#4) to the 4th string (G3) is a descending minor third.
• The interval from the 4th string (G3) to the 3rd string (B3) is a Major Third.
• The interval from the 3rd string (B3) to the 2nd string (D#5) is a Major Third plus an octave.
• The interval from the 2nd string (D#5) to the 1st string (G4) is a descending minor third.

This arrangement, despite the octave shifts and descending intervals, effectively stacks a B Augmented chord (B-D#-G) across the fretboard, providing a full and resonant open chord.

Chords and Playability

In Open B Augmented tuning, the open strings themselves form a B Augmented chord (B-D#-G). This provides an immediate, powerful, and somewhat unresolved sound. Because of the symmetrical nature of augmented triads, simply barring all strings at any fret will produce another augmented chord. For example, barring at the 1st fret yields a C Augmented chord, the 2nd fret yields a C# Augmented chord, and so on. This makes it very easy to transpose the augmented sound across the fretboard.

While conventional major and minor chords will require more unconventional fingerings, this tuning excels at creating tension, mystery, and a sense of unresolved motion. It's particularly effective for experimental music, film scoring, or for guitarists looking to break away from traditional harmonic structures. Slide guitarists might also find this tuning highly inspiring for crafting fluid, non-diatonic melodies and harmonies due to the consistent intervallic structure when fretting across multiple strings.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Open B Augmented Tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E guitar tuning, carefully follow these string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 7 semitones to B2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 6 semitones to D#4.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 5 semitones to G3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 4 semitones to B3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 4 semitones to D#5.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 3 semitones to G4.

Important Note: Due to the significant upward tuning for several strings (7, 6, and 5 semitones, and 4 semitones for others), it is highly recommended to consider using a heavier gauge string, especially for the lower strings (6, 5, and 4), to prevent excessive tension and potential damage to your instrument. Tuning up by 4 semitones or more can place considerable stress on your guitar's neck and bridge. Please proceed with caution when tuning, and be mindful of your guitar's structural integrity.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to B2

String 5 (A): Tuned to D#4

String 4 (D): Tuned to G3

String 3 (G): Tuned to B3

String 2 (B): Tuned to D#5

String 1 (High E): Tuned to G4