This experimental tuning, named "Open Bb Add11C" by its creator, offers a unique and harmonically rich soundscape. Departing significantly from standard tuning, it provides a deep and resonant foundation perfect for exploring blues, folk, or modern alternative styles. The arrangement of notes lends itself to immediate, full-bodied chords with minimal effort, making it particularly inviting for slide players or those seeking new sonic textures.

Technical Breakdown:

The open strings are tuned to C2-A2-A#3-F3-A#4-C4 (from the lowest string to the highest string, corresponding to the standard E-A-D-G-B-E strings). Analysing these notes reveals a powerful F7 dominant chord (F-A-C-B♭) with a C in the bass and additional octave voicings. Specifically, the notes present across the open strings are C, A, F, and B♭. This creates a dense harmonic cluster, where the low C provides a strong root or a powerful 5th to an F chord, and the doubled B♭ (A#) notes contribute to its characteristic dominant flavour. The low A (A2) adds a major third to the F7 or a major sixth to a C based harmony.

Chordal Possibilities:

• Open F7 Chord: Strumming all open strings immediately produces a full and vibrant F7 chord (F-A-C-B♭), making it an excellent base for blues or rock.
• Barre Chords/Slide: Given the open F7 structure, simply barring across any fret will transpose this dominant 7th chord up the neck. For example, barring at the 2nd fret would yield a G7 chord, ideal for slide guitar.
• C and B♭ Harmonies: The presence of C on the 6th and 1st strings, combined with B♭ (A#) on the 4th and 2nd strings, makes it easy to construct various C-based (e.g., C minor/major/sus) and B♭-based (e.g., B♭ major/minor/7th) chords by targeting specific strings for fretting.
• Droning Potential: The low C and A notes, along with the resonant F, offer excellent droning potential for atmospheric and textural playing.

This tuning is an open invitation for guitarists to experiment with new melodic and harmonic ideas, moving beyond conventional chord shapes and embracing the unique voice it provides.

Current Tuning Notes:

• 6th String: C2 (Lowest pitch)
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: A3#
• 3rd String: F3
• 2nd String: A4#
• 1st String: C4 (Highest pitch)

How to Tune:

To achieve this tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard guitar tuning (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4). Please pay close attention to the number of semitones each string is moved. Tuning strings significantly up or down (exceeding 4 semitones in either direction) may require a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and prevent string breakage or excessive looseness.

1. 6th String (Low E): From its standard E2, Tune down 4 semitones to C2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change, consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
2. 5th String (A): From its standard A2, Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
3. 4th String (D): From its standard D3, Tune down 4 semitones to B2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. This movement results in B2, which differs from the A#3 specified in the 'Current Tuning Notes'. Please be aware of this discrepancy. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
4. 3rd String (G): From its standard G3, Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
5. 2nd String (B): From its standard B3, Tune down 1 semitone to A#3 (B♭3). (Note: This movement results in A#3/B♭3, which is an octave lower than the A#4 specified in the 'Current Tuning Notes'. Please be aware of this discrepancy.)
6. 1st String (High E): From its standard E4, Tune down 4 semitones to C4. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change, consider using a lighter gauge string for optimal performance.)