Overview

This is a lap steel tuning described as an E6 / Cm7 variant, building upon the foundation of an open E tuning. It's specifically designed to facilitate easy playing of minor chords using a straight bar, a hallmark technique in lap steel guitar playing. The unique arrangement of pitches, including the C# on the lowest string, allows for flexibility, including reentrant possibilities.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning are set to the following notes, from lowest (String 6) to highest (String 1):

• String 6: C#3
• String 5: E2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: G#4
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4

Upon analysis, the combination of these notes (C#, E, G#, B) directly forms a C# minor 7th chord. The full voicing, from lowest to highest string, is C#3, E2, E3, G#4, B3, E4. Note the interesting voicing where the lowest overall pitch (E2) is on String 5, making this a non-linear or somewhat reentrant tuning, as implied by the description for lap steel.

This open C#m7 chord makes this tuning exceptionally versatile for genres such as blues, jazz, and Hawaiian music, where minor 7th harmonies are frequently used. Sliding a bar across all strings will instantly yield minor 7th chords in any key. For example, a bar at the 3rd fret will produce an Em7 chord (G-C-C-F#-A-C), and at the 5th fret, an F#m7 chord.

Furthermore, the repetition of E notes (E2, E3, E4) and the inclusion of G# provide a clear harmonic anchor. While fundamentally a minor 7th tuning, skilled players can easily derive other related chords or partial voicings. For instance, by subtly muting String 6, one could imply an E major chord shape (E2, E3, G#4, B3, E4), or by focusing on specific strings, achieve C# minor triads (C# E G#) or B dominant 7th voicings (B E G# E for B7). The melodic possibilities for improvising over minor chord progressions are greatly expanded due to the immediate access to the minor 7th arpeggio across the open strings.

How to Tune

To set up your guitar (or lap steel) to the Open C#m7 Lap Steel tuning, follow these specific adjustments. Please exercise caution when altering string tension, especially for significant pitch changes. If a string needs to be tuned up or down more than 4 semitones, it's generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to avoid breakage or undue stress on your instrument.

• String 6: Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
• String 5: Tune down 5 semitones to E2. (Note: This is a significant drop; ensure your string can handle the slack without buzzing, and consider a heavier gauge if tuning often.)
• String 4: Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 3: Tune up 1 semitone to G#4.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

String 6: C#3

String 5: E2

String 4: E3

String 3: G#4

String 2: B3

String 1: E4