Deep E Major Open: A Resonant and Powerful Drop Tuning

The Deep E Major Open tuning (B E B E G# B) is a profoundly resonant and powerful drop tuning, derived directly from the well-known Open G tuning (D G D G B D) but transposed down a full three semitones (1.5 steps) across all strings. This creates an incredibly deep and rich sonic landscape, ideal for genres demanding a heavy, full-bodied sound such as blues, slide guitar, heavy rock, and atmospheric soundscapes.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a vast, open sound that fills the room with rich harmonics and a deep, throbbing bass. This tuning delivers exactly that. With its lowest note plunging to B1, it provides a foundational rumble that standard tunings can't match. Strumming all open strings yields a powerful E Major chord, making it effortless to achieve a full, chordal sound with minimal effort. Its 'open' nature means slide guitarists will find it incredibly intuitive and expressive, as moving a slide across the fretboard will instantly produce major chords. The uniform drop from Open G also means that players familiar with Open G shapes can largely transfer their knowledge, albeit in a lower key.

Technical Analysis

This tuning transforms the standard EADGBe into B1 E2 B2 E3 G#4 B3. Let's break down its structure:

• Low B (B1): The 6th string (low E) is significantly dropped to B1, providing a deep root note.
• E (E2): The 5th string (A) is dropped to E2, forming a perfect fourth above the root B.
• B (B2): The 4th string (D) is dropped to B2, an octave above the low B.
• E (E3): The 3rd string (G) is dropped to E3, forming a perfect fourth above B2, or an octave above E2.
• G# (G#4): The 2nd string (B) is dropped to G#4, completing the E Major triad (E G# B) and giving the tuning its major quality.
• B (B3): The 1st string (high E) is dropped to B3, providing another octave of the root and adding sparkle to the chord.

The resultant open notes (B, E, G#) clearly spell out an E Major chord, with the lowest B acting as the root, effectively making it an E Major chord over a B bass. This arrangement provides incredible harmonic density and allows for powerful drone-like playing. The repeated B and E notes across different octaves create a natural resonance, making chords ring out with exceptional sustain.

Open Chords and Playability

One of the primary advantages of this open tuning is the immediate availability of a full E Major chord by simply strumming the open strings. By barring any single fret across all six strings, you instantly achieve a major chord corresponding to that fret (e.g., barring the 1st fret gives an F Major, the 2nd fret gives an F# Major). This makes rhythm playing and slide guitar incredibly intuitive and powerful. More complex chords, such as minor or dominant 7ths, can be formed by altering specific string notes while retaining the open string foundation. The architecture, being a transposed Open G, also means many familiar Open G licks and chord shapes can be adapted to this lower key.

How to Tune

To achieve the Deep E Major Open tuning from standard E Standard (E A D G B E), follow these steps carefully. Note the significant drops in pitch for several strings; consider using a heavier gauge string set to maintain tension and intonation, especially for drops exceeding 4 semitones.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B1. This is a substantial drop, and a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent excessive floppiness and maintain tone.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A to E2. Another significant drop, for which a heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D to B2. This is a moderate drop, generally manageable with standard gauge strings.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G to E3. This is a moderate drop, generally manageable with standard gauge strings.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G#4. This is a moderate drop, generally manageable with standard gauge strings.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B3. This is a substantial drop, and a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to ensure proper tension and sound.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings down by more than 4 semitones (or up by more than 4 semitones), the tension changes dramatically. For optimal playability, intonation, and to avoid string breakage or damage to your guitar, it is highly recommended to use a different, likely heavier, gauge string set designed for lower tunings.

The 6th string (lowest) is tuned to B1.

The 5th string is tuned to E2.

The 4th string is tuned to B2.

The 3rd string is tuned to E3.

The 2nd string is tuned to G#4.

The 1st string (highest) is tuned to B3.