Tuning Analysis: Raised B Minor 11

This unique tuning, often referred to as 'Raised B' and famously utilized by artists like Dave Matthews, provides a rich and resonant open sound. It transforms the standard guitar into an open B minor 11 chord, offering a distinct harmonic landscape perfect for atmospheric textures, intricate fingerstyle, and complex chord voicings.

Technical Breakdown:

The open strings are tuned to B2-E3-A3-D4-F5#-B3. This configuration produces an open B minor 11 chord, comprising the notes B (root), D (minor third), F# (perfect fifth), A (minor seventh), and E (perfect fourth/eleventh). The string intervals are particularly interesting:

• The lowest four strings (6th through 3rd) are tuned in perfect fourths: B-E-A-D. This arrangement makes it very intuitive to play patterns and power chords across these strings, reminiscent of bass guitar tunings.
• A major third interval exists between the 3rd (D4) and 2nd (F5#) strings. This breaks the pattern of fourths, introducing a common, melodically strong interval that can lead to interesting voicings.
• The 1st string (B3) is tuned a perfect fourth above the 2nd string (F5#), completing the B minor 11 voicing.

Open Chords and Playability:

The most immediate benefit is the natural open B minor 11 chord, providing a full, ambient sound with a single strum. The stacked fourths on the lower strings facilitate easy movement for minor and power chord shapes, allowing for rapid chord changes by simply barring or shifting finger positions. For example, a two-finger shape on strings 6 and 5 (e.g., fretting 2nd fret on 6 and 5) would give you a C# power chord, which can be easily transposed. The D-F#-B on the higher strings creates a D major triad, which can be easily leveraged for melodic lines or harmonized with the lower strings. Sliding the open chord shape up the neck allows for instant transposition of the B minor 11 to other minor 11th chords. Due to the largely upward tuning, especially the extremely high F5# on the 2nd string, string tension will be significantly increased, and players should consider using appropriate string gauges to prevent breakage and ensure playability.

How to Tune: Raised B Minor 11

To achieve the Raised B Minor 11 tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard EADGBe tuning. Please pay close attention to the number of semitones each string needs to be moved, and note the warnings regarding string gauge and tension for significant pitch changes (movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down often advise a different string gauge).

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune up 7 semitones to B2. (Warning: Tuning up 7 semitones significantly increases string tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent breakage and maintain optimal playability.)
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 7 semitones to E3. (Warning: Tuning up 7 semitones significantly increases string tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 4 (D string): Tune up 7 semitones to A3. (Warning: Tuning up 7 semitones significantly increases string tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 7 semitones to D4. (Warning: Tuning up 7 semitones significantly increases string tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 2 (B string): Tune up 7 semitones to F5#. (Extreme Caution: The target note F5# is exceptionally high for a standard guitar string. While the movement specified is 7 semitones up from a standard B3, reaching F5# from B3 would typically require an even greater pitch increase (19 semitones) and is likely unachievable or severely damaging to a standard string. Proceed with extreme caution; a specialized very light gauge string is essential, or verify the intended target octave for F5# as this specific note may be a typographical error within the tuning data itself if it is intended to be achieved with a 7 semitone movement from standard B3.)
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. (Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones significantly decreases string tension. While less prone to breakage than upward tuning, a lighter gauge string might be advised for optimal tension and intonation, or to prevent excessive floppiness.)