This tuning, named "Open B add 4", offers a rich, resonant sound centered around the B major chord. As described, it's conceived "along the lines of open D," providing a familiar feel for players accustomed to open tunings, though its specific intervals offer a unique sonic landscape. It is designed to make it "easy to shift between B and E chords," encouraging exploration of these related harmonies across the fretboard. The tuning also highlights a "very nice major 7th on E," suggesting that the open 5th string (E) can serve as a powerful foundation for intricate E major 7th or 9th voicings.

Technical Analysis

The "Open B add 4" tuning sets the open strings to B1, E2, B2, D#4, F#4, B3. This configuration primarily forms a B major triad (B, D#, F#) with the significant addition of an E note on the 5th string. Analyzing the intervals from the lowest B (String 6), we find:

• String 6 (B1): The fundamental root.
• String 5 (E2): A perfect fourth above the root B, which gives the tuning its 'add 4' characteristic, creating a suspended quality or adding harmonic richness.
• String 4 (B2): An octave of the root, reinforcing the low B.
• String 3 (D#4): The major third of B, providing the characteristic major tonality.
• String 2 (F#4): The perfect fifth of B, completing the core B major triad.
• String 1 (B3): Another octave of the root, adding brightness and top-end resonance.

This arrangement offers a full, wide-ranging sound with a strong B fundamental, balanced by the bright upper octaves and the unique color of the E (P4th).

Open Chords & Harmonies

The true beauty of "Open B add 4" lies in its immediate harmonic possibilities:

• Open B add 4: All open strings together naturally produce a rich B major chord with an added perfect fourth, providing a full, resonant drone that is both stable and harmonically interesting.
• Barre Chords: By simply barring across any fret, you can easily transpose this Badd4 chord to other keys. For example, a barre at the 2nd fret yields a C#add4, and a barre at the 5th fret results in an Eadd4.
• E Major 7th/9th: As highlighted in the tuning's description, using the open 5th string (E) as a root note allows for beautiful E major 7th and 9th voicings. With the E as the root, the open strings provide E (root), B (perfect 5th), D# (major 7th), and F# (major 9th), creating sophisticated extended harmonies without complex fingerings.
• A Chords: The description mentions "A chords are on the fifth fret." While a full A major chord (A-C#-E) would typically be formed higher on the fretboard (e.g., at the 10th fret), the 5th string (E) at the 5th fret indeed produces an A note. This makes it convenient to incorporate an A root into specific voicings or as a melodic anchor, offering interesting harmonic contrast against the B-centric tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Open B add 4" tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific string movements. Please note the significant semitone drops for most strings; a heavier gauge string set might be advisable for optimal tension and tone, especially for movements exceeding four semitones down.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B. Caution: This is a substantial drop (-5 semitones) and may require a heavier string gauge.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to D. Caution: This is a substantial drop (-5 semitones) and may require a heavier string gauge.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones to D#. Caution: This is a significant drop (-4 semitones) and a heavier string gauge might be advisable.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 5 semitones to F#. Caution: This is a substantial drop (-5 semitones) and may require a heavier string gauge.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B. Caution: This is a substantial drop (-5 semitones) and may require a heavier string gauge.