Understanding B Minor Eleventh Open Tuning

This unique tuning, originally inspired by a discovery of a pleasing chord on the third fret of the F# string and fifth fret of the high B string in B Standard, unlocks a rich and complex sonic landscape. It's a tuning that naturally resonates with a sophisticated, slightly melancholic, and deeply harmonic feel, perfect for genres like jazz, progressive rock, blues, and even ambient music where dense chord voicings are desired.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning provides an immediate and full B minor eleventh chord when strummed open (B-F#-B-D-A-E). The lowest B string (B1) offers a powerful, resonant foundation, giving the overall sound a deep, almost orchestral quality. The presence of the minor third (D), minor seventh (A), and eleventh (E) alongside the root and fifth means you're instantly in a rich harmonic territory, bypassing the need for complex fingerings to achieve sophisticated voicings. A notable characteristic is the high F#3# on the fifth string, creating a wide and bright voicing for the open chord, giving it an almost harp-like or chiming quality.

The beauty of this tuning lies in its immediate harmonic richness. Simple one-finger barre chords across certain frets can yield surprisingly complex sounds. For instance, moving this entire open chord shape up the neck will transpose the Bm11 to other minor eleventh chords. Due to the inherent B minor 7 structure, minor 7th chords will be easily accessible. Additionally, the B1 and B2 on the 6th and 4th strings respectively, coupled with the F#3# on the 5th string, allow for easy access to power chords and drone effects. The unique intervals and wide string spread invite experimental playing and can make common chord shapes sound fresh and inspiring.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to B1 F#3# B2 D3 A3 E4. Let's break down the intervals relative to the root, B:

• 6th String (B1): Root
• 5th String (F#3#): Compound Perfect 5th (Perfect 5th + Octave above the root, which is a very high voicing)
• 4th String (B2): Octave (Root)
• 3rd String (D3): Minor 3rd
• 2nd String (A3): Minor 7th
• 1st String (E4): Perfect 11th

These notes collectively form a B minor 7 (add 11) chord, making this an excellent choice for open chord compositions and drone-based music. The consistency of the B root across two octaves (B1, B2) provides incredible harmonic stability. The close proximity of D3 and A3 offers natural minor 7th voicings, while the E4 adds a sophisticated color that can create tension or a floating, ethereal quality. The unusually high F#3# on the fifth string, especially when compared to the lower B1 and B2, creates a shimmering, expansive quality to the open chord.

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please use a reliable tuner and proceed carefully, especially with the strings tuned down by 5 semitones. For strings with extreme pitch changes (exceeding 4 semitones up or down), a different string gauge might be advised for optimal tension and tone, as current strings may feel too loose or taut.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3#.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.