Open Bminor11 is an intriguing alternate guitar tuning perfectly suited for creating lush, atmospheric soundscapes, particularly in genres like shoegaze and dream pop. The open strings form a complex B minor 11th chord, providing an immediate foundation for rich harmonic textures and evocative melodies.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is a sonic palette for the dream weaver. The inherent melancholy and depth of the B minor 11th chord, presented openly, encourages a fluid, less structured approach to playing. It’s ideal for crafting expansive, 'wall-of-sound' textures, where individual notes blend into a wash of sound. The significant down-tuning on several strings results in a looser feel, allowing for expressive bends, wide vibrato, and a distinct 'floppy' quality that can contribute to a hazy, ethereal sound. It beckons the player to explore drones, ambient swells, and ringing sustained notes, making it a fantastic choice for music that prioritizes mood and atmosphere over rigid melodic or harmonic structures.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to B1, F3#, C4#, D3, A3, and E4 (from low to high). When arranged in ascending order, the notes are B1, D3, F#3, A3, C#4, E4. This precisely spells out a B minor 11th chord:

• B (Root)
• D (Minor 3rd)
• F# (Perfect 5th)
• A (Minor 7th)
• C# (Major 9th)
• E (Minor 11th)

The voicing is quite spread out, with the D3 (minor 3rd) appearing below the F#3 (5th) and C#4 (9th), which gives the chord a very open and resonant character. The dramatic down-tuning on the 6th string (E to B, 5 semitones down) and 3rd string (G to D, 5 semitones down) will significantly reduce string tension, requiring players to potentially use heavier gauge strings to maintain playability and intonation, or embrace the characteristic 'looseness' for specific sonic effects. The intervals between adjacent strings are: perfect 5th (B-F#), augmented 4th (F#-C#), minor 3rd (C#-D), perfect 5th (D-A), and perfect 5th (A-E). This mix of wide intervals and a small minor 2nd (C#-D between strings 4 and 3) provides interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities.

Open Chords & Possibilities

• Open Bminor11: A single strum of all open strings delivers a complex and dreamy B minor 11th, perfect for immediate atmospheric composition.
• Drones & Sustains: The low B and D strings provide a rich, resonant minor third foundation for droning, allowing other strings to float above to create evolving textures.
• Partial Chords: Experimenting with two or three-string chords, especially on the higher strings, can reveal unique voicings of related minor, major, or suspended chords that resonate harmonically with the open Bminor11.
• One-Finger Chords: By barring a single finger across the neck, especially on the top three or four strings, new chord shapes that harmonize with the open bass strings become readily accessible, encouraging a different approach to chord construction.
• Melodic Exploration: The open string notes themselves (B, D, E, F#, A, C#) form a scale fragment that can be explored melodically, creating distinctive lead lines that inherently complement the tuning's core harmony.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Open Bminor11 tuning from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string. Please be mindful of the significant string movements and consider using heavier gauge strings where advised to maintain optimal tension and tone.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to **B1**. Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones to **F#3**. Caution: This is a moderate drop; a slightly heavier gauge might be beneficial.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitone to **C#4**. This is a minor adjustment.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to **D3**. Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to **A3**. Caution: This is a moderate drop; a slightly heavier gauge might be beneficial.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change, remains **E4**.

String 6 (Low E): B1

String 5 (A): F3#

String 4 (D): C4#

String 3 (G): D3

String 2 (B): A3

String 1 (High E): E4