The Bluesy Open D7 Tuning

Verbal Analysis

This particular variation of Open D7 truly shines with a rich, bluesy character. As described in its original definition, it's great, really bluesy. The tuning was notably used on an acoustic guitar for a percussive fingerstyle cover of Layla by Eric Clapton, highlighting its suitability for vibrant, rhythmic playing. The feel it provides is incredibly resonant, making it an excellent choice for acoustic playing where its open voicings can really sing out. Imagine slide guitar, driving rhythms, or intricate fingerpicking patterns – this tuning provides a versatile canvas for all of them, particularly within the blues idiom.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for this Open D7 is specifically set to D2-A2-D3-F#4-C4-D4 (low to high). When all open strings are strummed, they form a clear and powerful D7 chord. This is comprised of the root (D), perfect fifth (A), octave (D), major third (F#), minor seventh (C), and another octave (D). This inherent dominant seven quality gives the tuning its distinctive bluesy flavor, immediately inviting explorations into blues scales and progressions.

The arrangement of notes offers several advantages:

• Instant D7: Strumming all open strings immediately gives you a D7, perfect for starting blues jams or laying down a solid rhythmic foundation without needing to fret any notes.
• Slide Guitar Heaven: The open D7 chord makes this tuning exceptionally well-suited for slide guitar. Simply laying a slide across any fret will yield a dominant seventh chord (e.g., 5th fret for G7, 7th fret for A7, 10th fret for C7), allowing for easy key changes.
• Harmonic Reach: The presence of the D (root), A (fifth), and F# (major third) provides a strong D major triad foundation. The strategic placement of the C (minor seventh) on the 2nd string is key to its bluesy, dominant sound.
• Chordal Possibilities: While the open strings are D7, moving a single finger can create rich voicings. For instance, fretting the C on the 2nd string up to D (1st fret) gives you a D Major chord if you omit the 7th. Barring across all strings at any fret will produce the corresponding dominant seventh chord, making key changes straightforward for blues progressions. Common chords like G7 or A7 are easily accessible by simply barring at the 5th and 7th frets respectively.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve this Open D7 tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning (low to high) and follow these precise adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D4.

Important Note: All string adjustments in this tuning are within a reasonable range (no more than 2 semitones up or down), so your current string gauge should be suitable. Generally, when tuning down or up more than 4 semitones, a different string gauge is advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage, but this is not a concern for this particular tuning.

Tuning Notes (Low to High):

6th String: D2
5th String: A2
4th String: D3
3rd String: F#4
2nd String: C4
1st String: D4