Tuning Analysis: Blessed Be

This unique 8-string guitar tuning, aptly named 'Blessed Be', is meticulously crafted to emulate the powerful and expansive sound of Spiritbox's track "Blessed Be" on a single guitar, eliminating the need for a 7-string instrument or complex pitch-shifting effects. It plunges your 8-string into a realm of deeply resonant and dark sonic textures, pushing the instrument's lower register to its limits.

Technical Breakdown

The 'Blessed Be' tuning presents a rich and complex intervallic structure. The open strings, from the lowest (8th) to the highest (1st), are set to the following pitches: C1-F1-C2-F2-A#3-D#4-G3-C4. A distinctive characteristic of this tuning is its non-linear pitch progression; specifically, the 2nd string (G3) is tuned lower than both the 3rd (D#4 / Eb4) and 4th (A#3 / Bb3) strings. This creates unique voicings, offering opportunities for wide intervallic stretches and allowing for drone notes to ring out over higher melodic lines.

Analyzing the intervals: The lowest four strings (C1-F1-C2-F2) establish an incredibly deep foundation, effectively creating a C suspended 4th or F power chord feel with multiple octaves, perfect for crushing, heavy riffs. The full open tuning, comprising the notes C, F, A# (Bb), D# (Eb), and G, strongly implies a C minor 7 (add11) chord (C-Eb-G-Bb-F) or an F minor 7 (add9) chord (F-Ab-C-Eb-G, with the Bb adding to the minor sound). This provides a dark, atmospheric, and highly versatile harmonic palette for metal and djent styles.

Open Chords & Playability

While standard major and minor chord shapes will require significant re-learning and adaptation due to the extreme drop-tuning and non-linear string order, the open strings themselves offer a vast and powerful soundscape. Power chords on the lowest strings are exceptionally thick and resonant. The inherent harmonic tension and richness of the open Cmin7(add11) / Fmin7(add9) allows for immediate access to complex, heavy textures, making it ideal for experimental riffing and atmospheric passages. Players will find that exploring single-string melodies and two-note power chord voicings across the strings will yield the most immediate and impactful results.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Blessed Be' tuning, you will need to significantly detune your 8-string guitar. Please note that all strings are tuned down, with some exceeding 4 semitones. For optimal performance and to avoid potential issues with string tension and intonation, considering a different gauge of strings (heavier for the lowest strings, potentially lighter for the higher ones depending on the target pitch) is highly recommended.

• String 8 (Lowest): Tune down 6 semitones to C1.
• String 7: Tune down 6 semitones to F1.
• String 6: Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• String 5: Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
• String 4: Tune down 4 semitones to A#3 (Bb3).
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D#4 (Eb4).
• String 2: Tune down 4 semitones to G3.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune down 4 semitones to C4.

Open String Notes: Blessed Be

The open strings for the 'Blessed Be' tuning are:

• String 8: C1
• String 7: F1
• String 6: C2
• String 5: F2
• String 4: A#3
• String 3: D#4
• String 2: G3
• String 1: C4