Verbal and Technical Analysis: The 7 String Lap Steel D6 Tuning

The "7 String Lap Steel D6" tuning transforms your 7-string guitar into a versatile instrument designed for rich harmonic possibilities, particularly suited for lap steel players. As an alternative to the Papa Dafoe D6 (DABDF#AD) tuning, this configuration emphasizes a lush D6 chord across the open strings. The notes D2, F#3, B2, D3, F#4, A3, D4 when played open, form the intervals of a D Major chord (D, F#, A) with an added Major 6th (B). This arrangement makes it incredibly easy to produce major and minor triads, 6ths, and minor 7ths simply by barring across the frets. Sliding a bar across this tuning inherently produces a D6 chord at any given fret, offering a smooth, consistent harmonic landscape for melodic and chordal playing.

Technically, the tuning creates a staggered voicing of a D6 chord (D-F#-A-B) across the strings, providing a full, resonant sound. This structure is ideal for blues, country, Hawaiian, and jazz styles where smooth voice leading and rich extended chords are desired. The availability of major and minor triads, along with 6ths and minor 7ths, on every fret means a lap steel player can achieve complex harmonies with minimal effort, making it a highly intuitive and powerful tuning for improvisation and composition.

Open Chords and Accessible Shapes:

• D6 (Open): The entire open tuning itself spells out a D6 chord: D-F#-A-B. This provides an immediate, full-bodied D6 that can be easily transposed by simply moving a bar up the neck.
• Major Triads: By barring any fret, you automatically get a D Major triad (or its inversion) within the string set, easily shifting to other major triads by adjusting a finger or two. For example, barring at the 5th fret would yield a G6.
• Minor Triads: Specific fingerings or slight adjustments from the barred position allow for readily accessible minor triads.
• 6th Chords: Given the D6 foundation, 6th chords are the most natural and prevalent harmony in this tuning.
• Minor 7th Chords: The inherent structure also facilitates easy access to minor 7th chords with minimal additional fingering, providing a bluesy or jazzy feel.

How to Tune Your 7 String Guitar to D6 Lap Steel Tuning

To achieve the 7 String Lap Steel D6 tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the instructions below. Please exercise caution, especially when tuning strings up significantly, as this increases string tension. If a string requires tuning up by more than 4 semitones or down by more than 4 semitones from its standard pitch, it is generally advisable to consider a different gauge string to ensure optimal playability and prevent potential string breakage.

• String 7 (Lowest D): Tune up 3 semitones to D2. (Note: Tuning up 3 semitones can significantly increase tension. Exercise care.)
• String 6 (F#): Tune up 2 semitones to F#3.
• String 5 (B): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (F#): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (A): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (Highest D): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

String 7: D2 (The lowest string, tuned to D in the 2nd octave.)

String 6: F#3 (The sixth string, tuned to F sharp in the 3rd octave.)

String 5: B2 (The fifth string, tuned to B in the 2nd octave.)

String 4: D3 (The fourth string, tuned to D in the 3rd octave.)

String 3: F#4 (The third string, tuned to F sharp in the 4th octave.)

String 2: A3 (The second string, tuned to A in the 3rd octave.)

String 1: D4 (The highest string, tuned to D in the 4th octave.)