This tuning, playfully named "b min b6 add 11" by its creator, is a rich and complex alteration of standard guitar tuning, designed for exploration and unique sonic textures. It's described as a tuning that the creator made up and has been playing around with, suggesting an experimental and personal approach to guitar harmony.

Verbal Analysis:

At its heart, this tuning establishes a deep and expansive B minor harmony, spiced with intriguing extensions. The exceptionally low B1 on the 6th string provides a solid, resonant foundation, imbuing the tuning with a dark, often brooding character. The open strings, B1 - F3# - D3 - G3 - B2 - E4, collectively form a sophisticated B minor chord (B-D-F#) with an added minor 6th (G) and an 11th (E). This isn't a simple major or minor feel; it evokes a sound that can be melancholic, jazzy, progressive, or even suitable for heavy, atmospheric riffs, lending itself well to ambient soundscapes and intricate fingerstyle. The presence of B (String 6), D (String 4), and F# (String 5) within the open strings provides an immediate connection to the B minor triad, making it intuitively accessible for crafting minor chord voicings. However, the unique placement of notes, particularly the F3# on the 5th string (traditionally the A string) and the B2 on the 2nd string (traditionally the B string), creates non-linear intervals. This non-standard layout encourages breaking free from conventional guitar shapes and discovering entirely new voicings and melodic patterns, offering a fresh perspective for players seeking distinctive harmonic palettes.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning notes are B1 - F3# - D3 - G3 - B2 - E4 (from the 6th string to the 1st string, representing the low E to high E string positions). When arranged by ascending pitch, the fundamental notes are B1, B2, D3, F#3, G3, E4. This combination directly forms a B minor (B-D-F#) chord with an added G (minor 6th) and E (11th), perfectly aligning with the tuning's name. The most striking features are the incredibly low B1 on the 6th string, which significantly extends the guitar's low-end range, and the B2 on the 2nd string, which is an octave lower than standard B3, contributing to the tuning's overall depth and wide harmonic spread. The F3# on the 5th string (typically an A2 in standard tuning) is particularly noteworthy for its high pitch; it is even higher than the D3, G3, and B2 notes on adjacent strings. Achieving F3# from A2 would require tuning up 9 semitones, representing a very significant upward tension that would almost certainly necessitate an exceptionally light gauge string to prevent breakage and ensure playability. This high-tension string, coupled with the extremely low 6th and 2nd strings, creates a highly unusual and challenging, yet rewarding, string tension profile and harmonic landscape. The non-linear pitch progression across the strings (e.g., String 5 being higher than String 4) will demand a complete re-learning of typical scale and chord shapes, fostering innovation in playing style.

How to Tune to 'b min b6 add 11'

To achieve this unique tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4) tuning, follow these specific string adjustments. Please note that for movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is highly recommended to maintain playability and avoid string breakage (for upward movements) or excessive slack (for downward movements). All HTML elements on this page use the class `gtdb_ai_gen`.

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune down 5 semitones from its standard E2 to B1. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard A2 to F#2. This is a moderate drop and should be manageable with a standard string. (Note: The stated conceptual notes for this tuning list F3# for this string; however, these tuning instructions lead to F#2 based on the provided string movements. Follow these instructions for the practical tuning setup.)
• String 4 (D string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard D3 to D3.
• String 3 (G string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard G3 to G3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) from its standard B3 to B2. This is a very substantial drop; a much heavier gauge string is strongly advised for playability and to maintain tone and intonation.
• String 1 (High E string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its standard E4 to E4.