This unique tuning, described by its creator as "Something Nick Drake-y I came up with", truly lives up to its namesake, inviting introspection and a deep, resonant sound. It's an open tuning designed for rich harmonic textures and expressive fingerstyle playing.

Technical Analysis:

• The tuning is set to B1 F3# C4# D4# A4# B3, spanning from a very low B1 on the 6th string to a B3 on the 1st string, creating a powerful octave relationship that grounds the entire sound.
• Analyzing the open strings, we find a complex and beautiful chord: an open B Major 7th with an added 9th (Bmaj7(add9)). The constituent notes are:
  • B (Root) on string 6 and 1
  • F# (Perfect 5th) on string 5
  • C# (Major 9th / Sus2) on string 4
  • D# (Major 3rd) on string 3
  • A# (Major 7th) on string 2
  This unique combination offers a bright yet slightly wistful harmonic palette. The distinct intervals, particularly the Major 2nd between C# and D# (strings 4 and 3) and the Minor 2nd between A# and B (strings 2 and 1), contribute to its unique sonic character, providing both consonance and subtle tension.

Verbal Analysis & Chords:

"B Melancholy Open" evokes a profound sense of depth and contemplation. The extremely low B on the 6th string provides an unusually deep foundation, allowing for sustained drones and rich bass lines that resonate through the instrument. The overall impression is one of melancholic beauty, perfect for intricate fingerpicking patterns where each note can ring out with clarity and purpose.

The inherent Bmaj7(add9) chord in the open tuning makes it an excellent canvas for exploring extended jazz or folk harmonies. Simple chord shapes will be recontextualized, leading to unexpected voicings and harmonic possibilities. For instance, moving a single finger can transform the rich open chord into various suspended or altered harmonies. Chords that would typically require complex fingerings in standard tuning might become accessible with minimal effort, leveraging the drone strings. Conversely, playing familiar chord shapes may produce entirely new and surprising sounds, encouraging experimentation.

Due to the significant down-tuning, especially on the 6th and 1st strings (both dropped by 5 semitones), the strings will feel looser than usual. This can facilitate expressive techniques like wide vibrato and deep bends, further enhancing the "Nick Drake-y" feel, but also suggests that a heavier gauge string set might be beneficial for optimal tension and intonation, particularly for players who fret aggressively.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Low E string equivalent): B1
• String 5 (A string equivalent): F3#
• String 4 (D string equivalent): C4#
• String 3 (G string equivalent): D4#
• String 2 (B string equivalent): A4#
• String 1 (High E string equivalent): B3

How to Tune:

To achieve the "B Melancholy Open" tuning, you will need to adjust your guitar strings as follows. Please take care, especially with significant pitch changes. If a string needs to be tuned down by more than 4 semitones (e.g., -5, -6) or up by 4 semitones or more (e.g., 4, 5, 6), a different gauge string is advised for optimal performance and to prevent string damage.

• String 6: Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to F3#.
• String 4: Tune down 1 semitone to C4#.
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D4#.
• String 2: Tune down 1 semitone to A4#.
• String 1: Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised.