Deep B Minor Open Tuning: A Player's Custom Voicing

This unique tuning, originally conceived by a player who "didn't like tuning [the] A string up to a B," offers a fresh and resonant take on the B minor tonality. It prioritizes lower string tension on the fifth string while still achieving a rich, full B minor chord when strummed open.

Verbal Analysis

The "Deep B Minor Open Tuning" provides an incredibly resonant and dark sound, perfect for genres that thrive on deep, powerful chords and atmospheric textures. The lowest note, B1, offers a commanding bass foundation, while the upper strings weave together the characteristic minor tonality. This tuning feels expansive and allows for big, sweeping strumming or intricate fingerstyle patterns that leverage the open minor chord. It's particularly well-suited for slide guitar, where the open minor chord provides a natural canvas for melodic exploration. The creator's personal touch, avoiding the higher tension on the A string, makes this a more comfortable and potentially more durable tuning for many players, offering a unique sonic landscape.

Technical Analysis

• Open Chord Structure: The open strings (B1-F#3-D3-F#4-B3-D4) immediately form a complete B minor triad. We have the root (B) on the 6th and 2nd strings, the perfect fifth (F#) on the 5th and 3rd strings, and the minor third (D) on the 4th and 1st strings. This provides a strong, unambiguous B minor sound from an open strum, full of harmonic richness.
• Voicing: The wide interval spread, particularly the significant drop from the standard Low E to B1 and the placement of F#3 on the 5th string, creates a unique and deep voicing. The subsequent notes (D3, F#4, B3, D4) are well-distributed, offering both depth and sparkle. The F# on the 5th string (F#3) acts as a strong perfect fifth, harmonizing powerfully with the open B root, creating a sound that is both full and melodically interesting.
• Chordal Possibilities:
  • Open B Minor: As established, simply strumming all strings yields a B minor chord in a rich, full voicing. This is your primary open chord.
  • Movable Minor Chords: A key advantage of open minor tunings is the ease of creating other minor chords. By barring all six strings at any fret, you can easily transpose the B minor chord. For instance, barring at the 1st fret yields a C minor, at the 2nd fret a C# minor, and so on. This makes transposing minor key songs very straightforward across the fretboard.
  • Open Drone/Pedal Tones: The low B1 combined with the F# notes on the 5th and 3rd strings (F#3 and F#4) provides excellent potential for drone effects and sustained pedal tones, especially useful in ambient, folk, or experimental music, adding texture and depth.
  • Expanding Beyond Minor: While the open tuning naturally lends itself to minor harmonies, specific fingerings can achieve major or dominant chords. For example, to achieve a B Major chord, one would need to fret the D notes (on strings 4 and 1) up to D# (1st fret on 4th string, 1st fret on 1st string). This requires careful fingering but demonstrates the versatility of the tuning for more complex harmonic exploration.
• String Tension Consideration: The custom choice to tune the A string down to F#3 instead of up to B is a notable feature. This results in significantly lower tension on that string compared to some other open tunings, which can be easier on the fingers, enhance sustain, and potentially reduce the risk of string breakage.

Tuning Notes: Deep B Minor Open

Here are the specific notes for each string in this unique B Minor Open tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): B1
• 5th String (A): F#3
• 4th String (D): D3
• 3rd String (G): F#4
• 2nd String (B): B3
• 1st String (High E): D4

How to Tune Your Guitar

Follow these instructions carefully to achieve the Deep B Minor Open Tuning. It is assumed you are starting from standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e):

• 6th String (Low E): Your standard Low E string (E2) will be tuned down 5 semitones to reach B1. Important: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. For optimal playability and tension, especially when playing aggressively, you may consider using a heavier gauge string for this low B.
• 5th String (A): Your standard A string (A3) will be tuned down 3 semitones to reach F#3.
• 4th String (D): Your standard D string (D3) remains at D3; no change (0 semitones) is needed.
• 3rd String (G): Your standard G string (G4) will be tuned down 1 semitone to reach F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Your standard B string (B3) remains at B3; no change (0 semitones) is needed.
• 1st String (High E): Your standard High E string (E4) will be tuned down 2 semitones to reach D4.