The BEBEABE Tuning for a 7-string guitar offers a unique soundscape, best described as an extended and transposed variation of the popular DADGAD tuning. Imagine the versatility of DADGAD, but shifted into the key of E and expanded with a low B string, giving you immense sonic depth and power, perfectly suited for a 7-string instrument.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning sets the strings to B1-E2-B2-E3-A3-B3-E4 from lowest to highest. Analyzing the intervals reveals a distinctive pattern:

• String 7 (B1) to String 6 (E2): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (B2): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (E3): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 4 (E3) to String 3 (A3): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 3 (A3) to String 2 (B3): Major 2nd (M2)
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect 4th (P4)

The tuning prominently features the notes B, E, and A. The open strings create a resonant, harmonically rich cluster: B, E, B, E, A, B, E. This can be interpreted as an E minor chord (E-B-E) with an added A (the 11th), often voiced as an Em7(add11) or an Aadd9/B, providing a suspended or modal tonality that is both full and intriguing.

Verbal and Chordal Exploration:

Verbally, BEBEABE feels expansive and open, characterized by powerful drones and ringing sustain. The low B provides a deep, guttural foundation, while the recurring E and B notes across the middle strings create a natural resonance, ideal for ambient soundscapes, heavy, percussive riffing, and intricate fingerstyle passages. Its conceptual link to DADGAD suggests a strong inclination towards modal melodies and Celtic-inspired compositions, but now transposed to the brighter key of E.

Chords are made highly accessible due to the prevalence of perfect 4th and 5th intervals. Barring across certain frets, particularly on the lower four to five strings (B-E-B-E-A), will yield powerful open voicings and suspended chords. Power chords and their inversions are particularly easy to form. For instance, a single finger across the 5th fret on strings 6 through 2 (E, B, E, A, B) creates a rich E5-like voicing. The open E and B strings readily support both E major and E minor harmonies with minimal fretting. The A3 string, being a major 2nd above B3, introduces a bluesy or modal tension that can be creatively resolved or exploited. This tuning excels at blending open string drones with fretted melodies, allowing for a harmonically dense sound using relatively simple fingerings. It is especially well-suited for styles demanding a deep, resonant bottom end combined with shimmering, open string textures, such as progressive rock, metal, acoustic folk, or contemporary ambient music.

Tuning Notes:

• String 7 (Lowest): B1
• String 6: E2
• String 5: B2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: B3
• String 1 (Highest): E4

How to Tune (from Standard 7-String Tuning: B-E-A-D-G-B-E):

To achieve the BEBEABE tuning from a standard 7-string tuning, follow these adjustments:

• String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your lowest B string remains B1.
• String 6 (E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your E string remains E2.
• String 5 (A2 to B2): Tune up 2 semitones. Your A string is raised to B2.
• String 4 (D3 to E3): Tune up 2 semitones. Your D string is raised to E3.
• String 3 (G3 to A3): Tune up 2 semitones. Your G string is raised to A3.
• String 2 (B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your B string remains B3.
• String 1 (E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your highest E string remains E4.

Important Note on String Gauge: All string adjustments for this tuning are moderate, involving tuning up by a maximum of 2 semitones or no change at all. These adjustments are generally safe for standard gauge strings. As a general guideline, if a tuning requires tuning a string down by more than 4 semitones or up by more than 4 semitones, it is often advisable to consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and prevent potential intonation issues or string breakage. For this specific BEBEABE tuning, no extreme gauge changes are necessary.