The 'Major Third B' tuning is a rich and expansive open tuning designed for a 9-string guitar. Despite its name, which might suggest a simple major third interval across all strings, this tuning presents a more intricate and powerful voicing, effectively creating a massive G Major soundscape spread across nearly four octaves. It offers a deep, resonant foundation with the lowest string at B0 and the highest at D4#, making it ideal for creating lush drones, full open chords, and exploring unique harmonic textures.

Technical Analysis

This is a 9-string tuning featuring a complex, interleaved pattern of notes. The fundamental pitches present across the nine strings are B, D# (D sharp), and G. These notes, when combined, form a G Major triad (G-B-D#). The tuning utilizes three distinct sets of notes, each repeating across different octaves:

• B Notes: B0 (String 9), B1 (String 6), B2 (String 3)
• G Notes: G1 (String 7), G2 (String 4), G3 (String 1)
• D# Notes: D2# (String 8), D3# (String 5), D4# (String 2)

When played in sequence from the lowest physical string (String 9) to the highest (String 1), the intervals between adjacent strings are notably varied:

• String 9 (B0) to String 8 (D2#): Octave + Major Third (16 semitones up)
• String 8 (D2#) to String 7 (G1): Major Sixth Down (13 semitones down)
• String 7 (G1) to String 6 (B1): Major Third (4 semitones up)
• String 6 (B1) to String 5 (D3#): Octave + Major Third (16 semitones up)
• String 5 (D3#) to String 4 (G2): Major Sixth Down (13 semitones down)
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (B2): Major Third (4 semitones up)
• String 3 (B2) to String 2 (D4#): Octave + Major Third (16 semitones up)
• String 2 (D4#) to String 1 (G3): Major Sixth Down (13 semitones down)

This unique arrangement creates a full, resonant G Major chord when all open strings are strummed, making it incredibly accessible for rich, harmonically complete voicings. The presence of multiple octaves of B, G, and D# offers a powerful sonic palette for open chord playing, slide guitar, and experimenting with melodic lines that emphasize the G major tonality. Barre chords will also take on new characteristics, often simplifying complex voicings due to the repetitive nature of the tuning's fundamental chord.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard guitar tuning. All strings are tuned down, often by a considerable number of semitones. Extreme caution should be exercised, and for changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is strongly recommended to prevent damage to your instrument or strings.

• String 9: Tune down 2 semitones to B0.
• String 8: Tune down 3 semitones to D2#.
• String 7: Tune down 4 semitones to G1. (Consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension.)
• String 6: Tune down 5 semitones to B1. (A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.)
• String 5: Tune down 6 semitones to D3#. (A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.)
• String 4: Tune down 7 semitones to G2. (A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.)
• String 3: Tune down 8 semitones to B2. (A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.)
• String 2: Tune down 8 semitones to D4#. (A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.)
• String 1: Tune down 9 semitones to G3. (A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.)

String 9: B0 (Lowest string physically and lowest pitch)

String 8: D2#

String 7: G1

String 6: B1

String 5: D3#

String 4: G2

String 3: B2

String 2: D4# (Highest pitch in the tuning)

String 1: G3