This is an exceptionally deep and harmonically complex tuning, designated as B Dominant Sharp Eleven Tuning. It descends significantly from standard guitar tuning, creating a soundscape that can be both powerful and hauntingly dissonant. The tuning offers a rich canvas for genres like progressive metal, jazz fusion, blues, or experimental music, where unique voicings and extended harmonies are desired.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to B1-F2-B2-D#4-A3-A3. This configuration immediately presents a strong B tonality, but with distinct harmonic tension. The presence of B (root), D# (major third), F (tritone / #11), and A (minor seventh) unequivocally forms a sophisticated B7(#11) chord voicing. The low B provides a formidable foundation, while the doubled A on the highest two strings offers a unique drone potential or an easy platform for melodic unison playing. This tuning is not for the faint of heart; it's designed to push harmonic boundaries and inspire unconventional playing techniques.

Chords and Playability

While traditional chord shapes will largely be re-contextualized or unusable, this tuning excels at open and droning chords. The open strings themselves form a compelling B7(#11) chord, which can be the basis for intricate improvisations. The unison A strings (1st & 2nd) make it easy to create power chords or open harmonies on the lower strings, letting the high A ring out. Slide guitarists may find this tuning particularly expressive, leveraging the natural intervals. The significant drop in tension, especially on the low B and high A strings, suggests that heavier gauge strings would be highly advisable to maintain optimal playability and intonation.

How to Tune

Please note the significant changes required for some strings. For optimal playability and to avoid string breakage or intonation issues, it is generally advised to consider a different string gauge when tuning down more than 4 semitones or up more than 4 semitones.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. A heavier gauge string is advised for this drop.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones to D3. A heavier gauge string is advised for this drop. (Note: This instruction is based strictly on the provided 'string_movements' data.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones to A3. This is a very substantial drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain tension and tone.

• String 6: B1
• String 5: F2
• String 4: B2
• String 3: D4#
• String 2: A3
• String 1: A3