Tuning Overview

This is an intriguing "Open B6/9" tuning, as described by its creator, specifically crafted for a song. It transforms your guitar into a resonant soundboard for a rich B major 6/9 chord when played open. This tuning is designed to immediately provide a full, lush harmonic texture, making it excellent for open strumming, arpeggios, and slide guitar where the open strings form the fundamental harmony.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to B1, F#3, B2, D#4, G#4, C#5. All these notes collectively form a B major 6/9 chord, providing the following chord tones:

• B (Root)
• D# (Major Third)
• F# (Perfect Fifth)
• G# (Major Sixth)
• C# (Major Ninth)

This arrangement means that simply strumming all open strings produces a beautiful, complex B6/9 chord. The specific octave placement of the notes creates a very wide intervallic spread across the fretboard, with a low B1 on the 6th string and a high C#5 on the 1st string. This wide range, particularly the large jump between the 6th (B1) and 5th (F#3) strings, followed by a drop to the 4th string (B2), creates a unique voicing that is unlikely to be achievable on a standard guitar string set without careful consideration of string gauges.

The top three strings (D#4, G#4, C#5) are tuned in consecutive perfect fourths (D# to G#, G# to C#). This is reminiscent of the top strings of standard tuning (G to B is a major third, B to E is a perfect fourth), but here the consistent perfect fourth interval creates predictable and easily repeatable shapes for power chords, suspended chords, and other intervallic patterns on these strings by simply barring across frets or using two-finger shapes.

Chordal Possibilities

With all open strings forming a B6/9 chord, this tuning opens up a world of possibilities for harmonic exploration:

• Open Chords: The most immediate benefit is the full B6/9 chord available at the open position, perfect for rich, ambient textures or foundational rhythm.
• Barre Chords: By barring across any fret, you can instantly create other major 6/9 chords. For example, a barre at the 1st fret would yield a C6/9, at the 2nd fret a C#6/9, at the 3rd fret a D6/9, and so on. This makes transposing chord progressions straightforward.
• Melodic Play: The open, resonant nature allows for interesting melodic lines to be woven around the inherent B6/9 harmony. The consecutive fourths on the higher strings offer familiar fingering patterns for scales and arpeggios in that region.
• Drone Effects: The B notes on the 6th and 4th strings can serve as excellent drones, emphasizing the root of the B6/9 harmony and adding depth to single-note lines or partial chords.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Open B6/9

To achieve the Open B6/9 tuning, please adjust your strings according to the following instructions. Note that the target notes span a very wide range (from B1 to C#5), which may require careful attention to string tension and potentially different string gauges than a standard set for optimal playability and to avoid string breakage.

• 6th String (B1): Keep this string as is; no change is required (0 semitones).
• 5th String (F#3): Tune this string up 2 semitones.
• 4th String (B2): Tune this string up 2 semitones.
• 3rd String (D#4): Tune this string up 1 semitone.
• 2nd String (G#4): Tune this string up 1 semitone.
• 1st String (C#5): Tune this string up 2 semitones.

When tuning, always proceed with caution, especially when tuning strings up. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down (which are not present in these specific instructions, but generally good advice), consider if a different string gauge might be more appropriate for string longevity and playability.

String 6: B1 - The lowest string provides the foundational root note of the B6/9 chord, delivering a deep, resonant bass.

String 5: F#3 - Tuned to the perfect fifth of the B chord, an octave and a half above the B on the 6th string, adding significant harmonic depth.

String 4: B2 - An octave of the root, positioned lower than the 5th string's F#, contributing to the tuning's unique wide voicing and providing a strong, resonant B.

String 3: D#4 - The major third of the B chord, lending the tuning its bright, major quality and essential chordal character.

String 2: G#4 - The major sixth, adding a rich, sophisticated extension to the basic major triad and enhancing the chord's complexity.

String 1: C#5 - The major ninth, completing the complex and jazzy character of the B6/9 chord, sitting high on the fretboard for sparkling top notes.