Tuning Analysis: Seven String Dark Descent

Verbal Description

The "Seven String Dark Descent" tuning, also known by its technical designation CD#GDGA#D (or CEbGDGBbD), plunges the 7-string guitar into a realm of deep, resonant harmonics and an immediately atmospheric, melancholic sound. As the tuning description aptly puts it, it conjures "Beautiful harmonics, cope with your shame," suggesting a soundscape suitable for introspective, dark, or progressive musical styles. With its lowest string tuned to C2, this tuning offers an exceptionally extended low end, providing a powerful foundation ideal for genres like progressive metal, doom metal, jazz fusion, or experimental rock where sonic depth and complex harmonies are paramount. The presence of D# (Eb) and A# (Bb) notes in the open strings hints at a strong minor or modal character. The original description notes these notes are diatonically in Eb and Bb, strongly indicating a C minor tonality, which feels both heavy and expressively rich.

Technical Analysis

This is a 7-string tuning with the following open string notes from lowest to highest: C2, D#3, G2, D3, G3, A#4, D4.

• The open strings form a rich C minor 9th chord (C-Eb-G-Bb-D), providing a complex and lush harmonic foundation without any fretting. This inherent chord allows for immediate access to sophisticated voicings.
• The lowest string, C2, anchors the tuning, offering exceptional sub-bass frequencies and an extended range.
• The presence of G2 and G3 on strings 5 and 3, respectively, provides octave layering, making it easy to create full-sounding power chords and dense harmonies on the middle strings.
• Similarly, D3 and D4 on strings 4 and 1 offer another octave pairing, which can be used for melodic lines or to reinforce the D (9th) of the open C minor 9th chord.
• The intervals between the core strings are not uniformly standard, encouraging a more melodic or arpeggiated approach, though power chords are still readily available, especially on the lower strings (e.g., C5 on 7th string, G5 on 5th string, etc.).
• The Eb (D#) and Bb (A#) notes are indeed diatonic to both Eb Major and Bb Major, meaning this tuning is exceptionally well-suited for playing in C minor, Eb Major, or Bb Major keys, leveraging the open strings for harmonic depth.

Open Chords and Accessible Voicings

Due to the specific arrangement of notes, several chords are naturally present or easily formed:

• Open C minor 9th (C-Eb-G-Bb-D): Strumming all open strings yields a full, resonant C minor 9th chord, perfect for atmospheric pads or complex intros.
• C minor Triad: By muting string 6 (D#) and strings 2 & 1 (A# & D), you can achieve a powerful C minor triad (C-G-G) across strings 7, 5, and 3.
• G Power Chord: Strings 5, 4, 3 (G-D-G) form an instant G power chord, which can be easily moved up and down the neck.
• Minor 7th and Minor 9th Shapes: Barring across specific frets will easily yield minor 7th and minor 9th chord shapes, especially on the top five or six strings, leveraging the inherent C minor 9th structure.
• Extended Power Chords: The unique combination of C-D#-G-D on the lower strings (7-6-5-4) allows for unique low-end power chord voicings that include the minor third, offering a heavier, more melancholic power chord sound.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Seven String Dark Descent" tuning from standard 7-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these instructions carefully:

• String 7 (Lowest B): Tune up 1 semitones to C2.
• String 6 (E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#4.
• String 1 (Highest E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Note on String Gauges: While no single string movement in this tuning exceeds 2 semitones, for tunings that require movements of 4 or more semitones (up or down), it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent potential damage to the guitar.

Here are the notes for each string in the "Seven String Dark Descent" tuning, from lowest to highest:

• String 7 (Lowest): C2
• String 6: D#3 (Eb3)
• String 5: G2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: A#4 (Bb4)
• String 1 (Highest): D4