Verbal Analysis: The Resonant B Fourth

Step into a world of deep resonance and open harmonic possibilities with the 'Open B Fourth' tuning. This unique setup transforms your guitar into a powerful sonic canvas, perfect for styles ranging from blues and folk to hard rock and experimental music where expansive, ringing chords are essential. Imagine a rich, full B Major chord (B-D#-F#) available with just an open strum, deeply anchored by the low B string. What truly distinguishes this tuning, as indicated by its original description, is the prominent E string, which acts as a fantastic drone for a IV chord or adds a distinctive 'add 4' quality to the open B. This creates a versatile harmonic landscape, making it easy to create captivating textures and driving rhythms with minimal effort.

Technical Analysis: B Major with an Open Fourth

• Instrument Type: Guitar.
• Open Notes (from low to high): B1, E2, B2, F#4, B3, D#5. This collection of notes forms a powerful B Major chord (B, D#, F#) across multiple octaves, enriched by the E (the perfect fourth).
• Chordal Implications: Strumming all strings open creates a lush B Major chord with an added E, effectively functioning as a Bsus4 or Badd4 voicing. The strong presence of B, E, and F# across the strings makes it incredibly easy to establish the root (B), the fourth (E), and the fifth (F#). This configuration is ideal for creating powerful open chords and drones. It naturally facilitates progressions involving the I (B Major) and IV (E Major) chords, where the open E string serves as a natural anchor or leading tone. Simple barre chords or two-finger shapes can unlock a vast array of melodic and harmonic ideas.
• Tuning Strategy Overview: This tuning involves significant detuning across most strings, primarily downwards. The lowest strings (6th and 5th) are dropped by a substantial 5 semitones each, while the 4th, 3rd, and 1st strings are also lowered. The 2nd string remains at its standard pitch. Such significant changes require careful attention to string tension and may necessitate the use of heavier gauge strings, especially for the lower pitches, to maintain optimal playability and intonation.
• Note on Octave Interpretation: While the target notes for strings 3 (F#4) and 1 (D#5) are specified at higher octaves in the tuning notes, the direct semitone movement instructions from standard tuning (e.g., -1 semitone for G to F#) would typically result in F#3 and D#4 if no octave shift is additionally specified. Achieving the higher octave pitches as stated in the target notes may require specific string choices, adjustments beyond simple semitone movements, or an understanding that the movement instruction is relative to a standard octave shift.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Open B Fourth

Follow these instructions to set up your guitar in the Open B Fourth tuning. Pay close attention to the semitone movements for each string, starting from standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and referencing the specific fret movement text:

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune down 5 semitones from E2 to B1. This is a significant drop (-5 semitones); for optimal tension and tone, especially on the lowest string, a heavier gauge string is advised.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. This is a significant drop (-5 semitones); for optimal tension and tone, a heavier gauge string is advised.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 1 semitone from G3 to F#3.
• String 2 (B string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 1 semitone from E4 to D#4.