Overview

This unique Guitar tuning, aptly named "Major 7 tuning plus ditone," is designed to evoke the rich, full sound of a jazz piano chord, as described in its original Portuguese as "Acorde de sétima simulando o piano jazz." Its open string configuration immediately presents a sophisticated harmonic landscape, perfect for exploring jazz, fusion, and contemporary styles.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are configured as C2 - E2 - G2 - B3 - C4 - E4 (from the lowest 6th string to the highest 1st string). This arrangement clearly forms a C Major 7 chord (C-E-G-B), with the higher strings reinforcing the root (C) and third (E) an octave up. This provides an incredibly resonant and harmonically complete sound without fretting any notes, making it highly suitable for rich, open voicings.

• The interval between the 6th string (C2) and 5th string (E2) is a Major Third.
• The interval between the 5th string (E2) and 4th string (G2) is a Minor Third.
• The interval between the 4th string (G2) and 3rd string (B3) is an octave and a Major Third (a ditone), creating a significant jump in pitch and contributing to a piano-like voicing, as the tuning's name suggests.
• The interval between the 3rd string (B3) and 2nd string (C4) is a Minor Second, creating a tight cluster and a strong leading tone resolution.
• The interval between the 2nd string (C4) and 1st string (E4) is a Major Third, completing the octave voicing of the C Major triad.

This tuning is exceptionally well-suited for jazz comping, chord-melody arrangements, and fingerstyle playing, offering immediate access to lush C Major 7 voicings and related extensions. Due to the open Cmaj7, many common jazz chords will be easily accessible. For instance, moving a single finger across the strings at certain frets could yield interesting G7, Fmaj7, or D minor 7 voicings with minimal effort. The tight intervals on the higher strings suggest intricate chordal possibilities.

How to Tune (from standard EADGBe)

Please note that significant string tension changes are involved for this tuning. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge might be advisable for optimal playability and string longevity. Please take particular care when tuning a string, especially when tuning up 4 semitones or more.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. Recommendation: Consider a heavier gauge string.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to D2. Recommendation: Consider a heavier gauge string.
  Note: The provided tuning notes specify E2 as the target for this string. However, tuning down 5 semitones from standard A2 results in D2. Please clarify the intended target note for this string, as there appears to be a discrepancy between the target notes and the tuning instructions.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 7 semitones from D3 to G2. Recommendation: Consider a heavier gauge string.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 4 semitones from G3 to B3. Recommendation: Take care, consider a lighter gauge string.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.

Open String Notes:

6th String: C2
5th String: E2
4th String: G2
3rd String: B3
2nd String: C4
1st String: E4