Tuning Overview: Open D major 7

This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "Open D major 7", originated from a creative exploration:

"I was playing a bsus2 chord in drop d and tuned the rest of the guitar by ear till it sounded correct."

Verbal Analysis

The Open D major 7 tuning offers a rich, resonant sound with an inherent sense of spaciousness. The open strings immediately form a D major 7 chord, making it an excellent choice for ambient soundscapes, fingerstyle arrangements, and blues or folk music where a full, ringing chord is desired without complex fretting. The presence of a major seventh (C#) adds a sophisticated, slightly melancholic, or jazzy quality, setting it apart from a simpler open major tuning. The unison F# notes on the 3rd and 2nd strings create a powerful drone and harmonic richness, which can be particularly effective for slide guitar or sustained melodic lines.

Technical Analysis

The open notes of this tuning are D2, A2, D3, F4#, F4#, C5#.

• Root (D): Present on the 6th and 4th strings (D2, D3), providing a strong foundational bass and octave.
• Fifth (A): Found on the 5th string (A2), solidifying the D major harmony.
• Major Third (F#): Unison on the 3rd and 2nd strings (F4#, F4#). This provides the major quality and significant harmonic density.
• Major Seventh (C#): On the 1st string (C5#), adding the distinctive major 7th flavour.

The open strings D-A-D-F#-F#-C# directly spell out a Dmaj7 chord. This makes barre chords incredibly straightforward: simply barring all strings across any fret will yield a Major 7th chord corresponding to that fret (e.g., 1st fret gives D#maj7, 2nd fret gives Emaj7). The close proximity of the two F# notes on the G and B strings (now 3rd and 2nd string) offers unique voicings and opportunities for sustained drone tones or easy double-stops, particularly useful for slide players. Melodies played on the top strings will naturally harmonize with the Dmaj7 foundation, making improvisations within the key of D major or its relative minor (B minor) very accessible.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the "Open D major 7" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E to D2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 5th String (A to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G to F4#): Tune down 1 semitone.
• 2nd String (B to F4#): Tune down 5 semitones.
• 1st String (High E to C5#): Tune down 3 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauges: Please be mindful of the significant changes required for some strings. Tuning down 5 semitones for the 2nd string (B to F#) is a considerable drop. For optimal tone, intonation, and to avoid excessively loose strings, consider using a different string gauge, particularly for the 2nd string, if you plan to use this tuning frequently or for extended periods. Tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones (up or down) generally warrant a review of your string gauge selection.

Here are the notes for each string in the Open D major 7 tuning:

• 6th String: Tuned to D2 (a full step down from standard E).
• 5th String: Tuned to A2 (same as standard A).
• 4th String: Tuned to D3 (same as standard D).
• 3rd String: Tuned to F4# (a semitone down from standard G).
• 2nd String: Tuned to F4# (five semitones down from standard B).
• 1st String: Tuned to C5# (three semitones down from standard high E).