Verbal Analysis

The 'Matt Blessing Song 7' tuning presents a remarkably unconventional and re-entrant landscape for the guitar. It diverges significantly from standard tunings by arranging strings in a non-linear fashion, meaning some lower-numbered strings are actually pitched higher than their adjacent, higher-numbered counterparts (e.g., the 5th string is higher than the 4th). This creates a unique sonic texture where familiar chord shapes will sound completely different, opening up new creative avenues for the player. The overall impression is one of rich, often dissonant, but deeply resonant harmonies, clearly crafted for a specific musical intention within Matt Blessing's composition.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Tuning Name: Matt Blessing Song 7
• Final Notes (from 6th to 1st string): D2 - F#3 - B2 - F#4 - B3 - D#5
• Re-entrant Nature: This is a highly re-entrant tuning. Notably, the 5th string (F#3) is pitched higher than the 4th string (B2). Similarly, the 3rd string (F#4) is an octave higher than the 5th string (F#3) and significantly higher than the 2nd string (B3). This non-linear arrangement of pitches is key to its distinctive sound, breaking from the traditional ascending pitch order of guitar strings.
• Open String Chords and Voicings:

  When strummed openly, the notes D2, F#3, B2, F#4, B3, D#5 create a complex and intriguing harmony. The combination of B, D#, and F# prominently forms a B Major triad (B-D#-F#), which is present across multiple octaves (B2, B3, F#3, F#4, D#5). The lowest D2 string acts as a strong pedal tone, creating a compelling tension against the B Major. This results in an open chord that could be perceived as a Bmaj(add D) or a Dsus2/B, offering a rich, almost ambient foundation. The inherent dissonance between D natural (on the 6th string) and D# (on the 1st string) provides a distinctive 'colour' that encourages non-traditional melodic and harmonic approaches.

  Due to the re-entrant nature, traditional barre chords are largely impractical, but new chord voicings emerge through fingerings that utilize the specific octave and interval relationships between strings. Shapes involving the 4th (B2) and 2nd (B3) strings, or the 5th (F#3) and 3rd (F#4) strings, will yield powerful octave and fifth intervals, making drone-like textures and open, ringing harmonies easily accessible. The overall sonic palette is bright and resonant, with a unique blend of tonality and subtle dissonance.

How to Tune

This section provides instructions for tuning your guitar to 'Matt Blessing Song 7', detailing the specific semitone movements and target notes for each string as provided. The indicated semitone changes for this tuning are generally within safe limits for standard guitar strings.

• String 6 (Lowest string): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitones to F#4.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change to B3.
• String 1 (Highest string): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5.

String Gauge Note: The semitone movements for this tuning are all within the advised range of -4 to +4 semitones, suggesting that a change in string gauge is typically not required for tension management. However, for optimum playability and tone, especially with the unique pitch arrangements, experimenting with different string gauges might be beneficial.

The final notes for each string in this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st), are:

• String 6: D2
• String 5: F#3
• String 4: B2
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: B3
• String 1: D#5