Step into a world of rich, resonant sound with the 'Open B Sitar Drone' tuning. This unique setup transforms your guitar into an instrument capable of producing captivating, drone-like soundscapes reminiscent of traditional Eastern music. It's not designed for conventional chords but rather for creating immersive textures, modal melodies, and a profound sense of atmosphere. Ideal for ambient, folk, world music, or experimental genres, this tuning encourages exploration beyond standard harmonic conventions.

Technical Analysis:

This is a highly re-entrant tuning for Guitar, meaning that the strings are not arranged in a strictly descending order of pitch from thickest to thinnest. The open string notes are configured as follows, from 6th (lowest) to 1st (highest) string: B1, F#3, B2, F#4, B3, E4.

Re-entrant Structure:

• The 5th string (F#3) is pitched significantly higher than the 4th string (B2).
• The 3rd string (F#4) is the highest note in the entire tuning, pitched higher than both the 2nd (B3) and 1st (E4) strings.

Open Chord and Intervals:

When strummed open, this tuning produces a variant of a Badd11 chord (B - F# - E). The tuning heavily features the root (B) and perfect fifth (F#) across multiple octaves, creating a powerful, sustained drone. The E adds a suspended fourth or eleventh quality, providing a modal color.

• 6th String (B1) to 5th String (F#3): A very wide ascending interval (an augmented 12th), creating a large jump in pitch.
• 5th String (F#3) to 4th String (B2): A descending perfect fourth, with F#3 pitched 7 semitones higher than B2.
• 4th String (B2) to 3rd String (F#4): Another very wide ascending augmented 12th.
• 3rd String (F#4) to 2nd String (B3): A descending perfect fourth, with F#4 pitched 7 semitones higher than B3.
• 2nd String (B3) to 1st String (E4): A standard perfect fourth.

Chordal and Playing Potential:

Due to its highly re-entrant and wide-interval structure, traditional Western chord shapes will not translate directly. This tuning excels in:

• Drone Playing: The resonant B and F# notes across multiple octaves create a natural, sustained drone.
• Modal Melodies: The layout is ideal for crafting intricate melodic lines on the higher strings, which can weave around the sustained open lower notes.
• Harmonic Textures: Strumming across strings can produce unique and complex harmonic clusters, perfect for atmospheric sound design.
• Barre Chords: Barring across a single fret will produce variations of the open Badd11 chord, shifting the root while maintaining the inherent drone quality. For example, barring at the 7th fret would result in an F#add11 voicing.

How to Tune:

This tuning involves significant changes for some strings. Please use a reliable tuner and proceed with caution. For string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different gauge string is advisable to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

• 6th String: Tune to B1. This involves tuning down 5 semitones. A heavier gauge string is recommended for this significant drop in pitch.
• 5th String: Tune to F#3. This involves tuning down 3 semitones.
• 4th String: Tune to B2. This involves tuning down 3 semitones.
• 3rd String: Tune to F#4. This involves tuning down 1 semitones.
• 2nd String: Tune to B3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 1st String: Tune to E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).