Tuning Analysis: Open B Major Seventh Add Ninth (C# Bass)

This unique guitar tuning, which we've named "Open B Major Seventh Add Ninth", offers a rich and harmonically complex sound when strummed open. It transforms a standard 6-string guitar into an instrument capable of producing sophisticated jazz and ambient textures, building upon a lush B Major Seventh chord with an added C# (the 9th), all underpinned by a powerful low C#. As the original description suggests, it provides a "kind of good" sound, hinting at its inviting and musical character.

Technical Breakdown:

• Instrument Type: Standard 6-string Guitar.
• Open Notes (thickest to thinnest): C#3 - F#3 - B2 - F#4 - A#4 - D#5.
• Harmonic Structure: The open strings collectively form a B Major Seventh Add Ninth chord (B - D# - F# - A# - C#). The lowest string, C#3, provides a strong pedal tone or a deep voicing of the 9th, while the B2 on the 4th string acts as the root of the dominant open chord.
• Intervals (relative to B2, the chordal root): Root (B2), Major 9th (C#3), Perfect 5th (F#3), Perfect 5th (F#4), Major 7th (A#4), Major 3rd (D#5).
• Chordal Implications: This tuning immediately allows for expansive Bmaj7add9 voicings without fretting. The prominent F#s and the inclusion of D# (Major 3rd) and A# (Major 7th) make it particularly suitable for exploring B Major 7th and related modal harmonies.

Chord Shapes and Playability:

The unique intervals and open chord of this tuning open doors to fresh musical exploration. While standard chord shapes will need to be re-learned or adapted, the layout facilitates several rich harmonies:

• B Major Seventh Add Ninth: Strumming all open strings directly yields this lush chord, perfect for ambient pads, jazz voicings, or as a drone.
• F# Suspend 4th: With the strong F# presence, shapes related to F#sus4 or F# major can be easily formed, especially by leveraging the open B string.
• C# Minor Seventh: Despite the B major feel, the C# bass string and open B (which serves as a minor 7th from C#) provide a natural foundation for C# minor 7th voicings with minimal fretting, offering a darker contrast.
• D# Minor / Augmented Chords: The D# on the high E string and A# on the B string (which is a minor 3rd from D#) can lead to interesting D# minor or even augmented voicings by shifting patterns.

This tuning encourages fingerstyle playing due to its wide harmonic palette and resonant open strings, inviting players to discover new melodic and chordal possibilities beyond conventional tunings.

How to Tune:

Please exercise care when adjusting your guitar's string tension. Significant drops in pitch, especially on heavier gauge strings, should be done gradually. Here are the precise movements from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E):

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
• String 5 (A String): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4 (D String): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (B String): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

Important Note on String Gauge: The first three strings require a significant drop of 3 semitones. While this is generally manageable, consistently tuning strings down by 3 or more semitones can affect string tension and intonation. For optimal performance and to potentially avoid buzzing, particularly when playing aggressively, you might consider experimenting with a slightly heavier gauge string for these lower strings. For any movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is strongly advised.

String 6 (Low E String): Tuned to C#3. This provides a deep, resonant bass note, serving as a powerful foundation for the tuning's complex harmony.

String 5 (A String): Tuned to F#3. A perfect fourth above the low C#, this note adds body and reinforces the F# presence in the open chord.

String 4 (D String): Tuned to B2. This is the lowest pitch in the open tuning and acts as the root of the B Major Seventh Add Ninth chord, providing a rich, resonant base.

String 3 (G String): Tuned to F#4. An octave above String 5, this F# further emphasizes the perfect fifth, adding brightness and clarity to the open voicing.

String 2 (B String): Tuned to A#4. This note is the Major Seventh of the B Major Seventh chord, contributing to the sophisticated, open harmony.

String 1 (High E String): Tuned to D#5. This note provides the Major Third of the B Major Seventh chord, completing the triad and adding a high, clear voice to the overall sound.