This "Drop B" tuning is a powerful and popular choice, famously used by bands like Machine Head on their albums after "Burn My Eyes." It's engineered for heavy riffing and a dark, resonant sound that underpins aggressive metal genres. The significant drop in pitch across most strings, coupled with a specific low B string, creates a sonic landscape well-suited for crushing palm-mutes and thick, distorted textures.

Verbal Analysis

The overall feel of Drop B is intensely heavy and dark, characteristic of modern metal and hard rock. The low B root on both the 6th and 4th strings provides immense power and allows for easy chugging riffs. Despite the low overall pitch, the higher strings (G#4 and C#5) offer a surprising amount of clarity and melodic potential, allowing for searing leads or arpeggiated figures that cut through a dense mix. This tuning strikes a balance between guttural low-end impact and articulate high-end expression, making it versatile for both rhythm and lead guitar work in heavier styles.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The open strings are B2, F#3, B2, E3, G#4, C#5, from lowest (String 6) to highest (String 1) respectively.
• Root Note: The tuning is firmly rooted in B, with B2 appearing on both the 6th and 4th strings. This octave alignment on the lowest strings is a defining characteristic of "drop" tunings.
• Intervals: The relationship between adjacent open strings creates a unique harmonic framework:
  • String 6 (B2) to String 5 (F#3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones up).
  • String 5 (F#3) to String 4 (B2): This is not a standard ascending interval. The 4th string (B2) is an octave and a Perfect 4th below the 5th string (F#3), highlighting the extreme drop on the lower strings and creating the octave unison between String 6 and String 4.
  • String 4 (B2) to String 3 (E3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).
  • String 3 (E3) to String 2 (G#4): Major 3rd (4 semitones up) plus an octave (12 semitones).
  • String 2 (G#4) to String 1 (C#5): Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).

  The pairing of B2 on both the 6th and 4th strings is the signature element of this "Drop B" tuning, enabling simplified power chords and heavy riffing.

• Chordal Possibilities:
  • Open Power Chords: The most prominent feature is the ease of playing B5 power chords. By barring across the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings, you get B-F#-B (root-fifth-octave root), which is a powerful B5 chord. This allows for quick, heavy riffs with minimal effort anywhere on the fretboard.
  • Reachable Chords: The "drop" nature means one-finger power chords (root-fifth-root) are readily available across the lowest three strings (6th, 5th, 4th) by simply barring any single fret. This is ideal for fast, heavy rhythm playing and quick key changes.
  • Extended Harmony: The full open string notes B, F#, B, E, G#, C# create a complex sonority that can be interpreted as a Bsus2add4add6. This is not a standard major or minor chord but rather an open, somewhat dissonant texture often found in modern metal, providing rich harmonic possibilities when combined with distortion. The E (4th) and G# (major 6th) add a distinct flavor to the B root.

Open String Notes

String 6 (lowest): B2
String 5: F#3
String 4: B2
String 3: E3
String 2: G#4
String 1 (highest): C#5

How to Tune from E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E)

To achieve this "Drop B" tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these precise string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 7 semitones to B2. Caution: Tuning up by 7 semitones is a significant increase in tension. For string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advised to use a different string gauge to prevent string breakage and ensure proper neck tension.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones to G#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

Always re-check your intonation after making significant tuning changes to ensure your guitar plays in tune across the fretboard.