This is a truly captivating tuning, described as "interesting, fun, and easy to make nice chords" in its original context. Technically, it creates an open E minor 7 chord with a D in the bass (Em7/D), offering a rich, resonant sound straight out of the box. The presence of two D notes (low D2 and high D4) creates a powerful drone, making this tuning excellent for folk, blues, and rock styles.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2 G2 B2 E3 B3 D4 (from low E to high E string). When these notes are stacked, they form an E minor 7 chord (E-G-B-D) with the lowest note being a D, effectively giving us an Em7/D voicing. The B and D notes are doubled across different octaves, adding to the tuning's fullness and sustain.

Compared to standard tuning (EADGBe), most strings are significantly lowered, creating a slacker feel and often a darker, more mellow tone. The low D and high D create a natural drone, while the clustered G2-B2-E3-B3 provides a ready-made chordal foundation. This tuning facilitates easy one-finger barres to transpose the open Em7/D chord up and down the fretboard, allowing for quick access to various minor 7th voicings.

Chordal Possibilities

• Open Em7/D: The entire open tuning rings out as a beautiful E minor 7 chord with a deep D bass.
• Easy Minor 7th Barres: By simply barring all six strings at a single fret, you can easily access other minor 7th chords. For example, barring at the 1st fret gives you Fm7/Eb, at the 2nd fret F#m7/E, and so on.
• Power Chords: The lower three strings (D-G-B) offer a strong foundation for power chords, and the overall spacing lends itself to interesting drone-based riffs.
• Sus Chords: The presence of G and D together (P4) allows for easy sus4 voicings over a D root.
• Melodic Opportunities: The relatively consistent interval drops (mostly 2 or 3 semitones) between strings, except for the B string, opens up unique melodic phrasing possibilities, especially when utilizing the open B string as a pivot.

How to Tune

Carefully adjust each string from standard EADGBe tuning to achieve the Open E Minor 7 Drop Tuning:

• Low E String (6th String): Tune down to D2 (2 semitones down).
• A String (5th String): Tune down to G2 (2 semitones down).
• D String (4th String): Tune down to B2 (3 semitones down).
• G String (3rd String): Tune down to E3 (3 semitones down).
• B String (2nd String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• High E String (1st String): Tune down to D4 (2 semitones down).

Note: All string movements are within a safe range for standard gauge strings. Always tune slowly and carefully.

The individual string notes for Open E Minor 7 Drop Tuning are:

• 6th String (Low E): Tuned to D2. This is the lowest note, providing a deep, resonant foundation.
• 5th String (A): Tuned to G2. A perfect fourth above the 6th string, contributing to the open Em7 chord.
• 4th String (D): Tuned to B2. A major third above the 5th string, completing the G-B-D triad within the tuning.
• 3rd String (G): Tuned to E3. A perfect fourth above the 4th string, serving as the root of the E minor 7 chord.
• 2nd String (B): Tuned to B3. An octave above the 4th string, reinforcing the B note and adding brightness.
• 1st String (High E): Tuned to D4. An octave above the 6th string, completing the open E minor 7 chord with a high D and adding sparkle.