Tuning Analysis: Open B add 4

Verbal Description

The "Open B add 4" tuning transforms your 7-string guitar into a rich, resonant soundscape, centered around the powerful B major chord with an added perfect fourth. This creates a full, almost orchestral drone that is both vibrant and slightly suspended. It's an excellent choice for styles ranging from blues and rock to ambient and experimental music, where open string resonance and unique voicings are desired. The recurring B and F# notes across multiple octaves provide a solid, foundational drone, while the E (the "add 4") introduces a lyrical, slightly open quality. The high D# completes the B major triad, ensuring a clear major tonality.

Technical Analysis

This tuning for a 7-string guitar sets the open strings to: B1 E2 F#3 B2 F#4 B3 D#5. The full collection of notes formed by the open strings is B, D#, E, F#. This creates a B major chord (B, D#, F#) with an added perfect 4th (E). The specific notes create a rich chord voicing:

• Root (B): Present in B1, B2, B3, providing a deep, resonant foundation.
• Perfect 4th (E): Found in E2, adding a suspended quality and creating a Bsus4 feel when played with the lower strings.
• Perfect 5th (F#): Present in F#3, F#4, reinforcing the B tonic.
• Major 3rd (D#): Found in D#5, establishing the major tonality of the tuning.

As described in the tuning's intent, it "Provides open string drones for chords I, IV, V (B, E, F#)."

• I Chord (B): The open strings heavily imply B major (B, D#, F#) with the addition of E, making it easy to create strong B tonalities.
• IV Chord (E): While E and B are present, a full E major (E, G#, B) would require fretting G#. However, the open E string provides a solid drone for E-based chords.
• V Chord (F#): F# is prominently featured, providing a strong drone for F# chords, though notes like A# and C# would need to be fretted for a full F# major.

This tuning is particularly effective for slide guitar due to its open chord structure and for creating expansive, ringing arpeggios simply by strumming or picking across the strings.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Open B add 4" tuning, adjust your 7-string guitar strings as follows. Please take care when tuning, especially with significant pitch changes. Generally, tuning up 3 or 4 semitones the user should take care. When string movements exceed negative 4 or positive 4 semitones or above, a different gauge string is advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage.

• String 7 (lowest): Tune to B1. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6: Tune to E2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5: Tune to F#3. Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 4: Tune to B2. Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to F#4. Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 2: Tune to B3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (highest): Tune to D#5. Tune down 1 semitone.

String 7: B1
String 6: E2
String 5: F#3
String 4: B2
String 3: F#4
String 2: B3
String 1: D#5