Verbal Analysis

This tuning, aptly named "E minor 7 Inversion," delivers a deep, resonant, and somewhat melancholic sound right from the open strings. It feels very open and spacious, with a rich harmonic texture that's immediately evocative. The significant downtuning across most strings contributes to a looser feel under the fingers and a potentially fatter, more sustained tone. The lowest string being tuned to D, combined with a perfect fourth interval to the next string (G), provides a solid foundation for powerful, driving riffs and bass lines. The overall character suggests it would be excellent for atmospheric music, blues, folk, or even heavy rock where a deep, open voicing is desired. The "inverted e minor sound" described in its genesis rings true, offering a familiar yet fresh perspective on the E minor 7 chord.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are configured as D2-G2-B2-E3-G3-D4, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string. When arranged in ascending order, the unique notes are D, E, G, B. This forms an Em7 chord (E-G-B-D) with the 7th (D) placed as the lowest note, hence the "inversion" in its name. It also strongly implies a G major 7 chord (G-B-D-E) with a D in the bass, giving it versatility.

• The interval between the 6th (D2) and 5th (G2) strings is a Perfect 4th, making it exceptionally easy to play powerful two-note power chords by simply barring across these strings. This fulfills the creator's intent of "the fourth on the bottom makes power chords useful."
• The 5th (G2) and 4th (B2) strings form a Major 3rd.
• The 4th (B2) and 3rd (E3) strings form a Perfect 4th.
• The 3rd (E3) and 2nd (G3) strings form a Minor 3rd.
• The 2nd (G3) and 1st (D4) strings form a Perfect 5th.

The open strings themselves form an Em7/D chord, offering a rich, ready-to-play voicing. Due to the intervals, especially the Perfect 4ths on the lower strings and the repetition of G and D notes (G2, G3 and D2, D4), this tuning lends itself to:

• Open Chord Voicings: The full open chord (D-G-B-E-G-D) is an Em7 with the 7th in the bass. This chord can be used as a stable foundation or a dramatic resolution.
• Power Chords: The D-G perfect fourth on strings 6 and 5 makes root-5th power chords effortless across the fretboard. You can easily extend this to three-string power chords (e.g., 6th, 5th, 4th strings) depending on the desired voicing.
• Drone/Pedal Tones: The low D (6th string) and G (5th string) can serve as powerful drone notes, especially effective for bluesy or modal explorations. The repeating G notes (G2, G3) and D notes (D2, D4) also allow for interesting resonant drones.
• Slide Guitar: The open and resonant nature, combined with significant string drops, could make this tuning particularly well-suited for slide playing, allowing for full, harmonically rich slides.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "E minor 7 Inversion" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note that several strings are tuned down significantly. For the 2nd string which drops by 4 semitones, a heavier gauge string might be advisable to maintain optimal tension and tone, though it is still within common limits for careful tuning.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B3 to G3. Consider a heavier gauge string.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned down 2 semitones to D2. This drops the lowest note significantly, providing a deep, resonant bass.

String 5 (A): Tuned down 2 semitones to G2. This creates a perfect fourth interval with the 6th string, ideal for power chords.

String 4 (D): Tuned down 3 semitones to B2. This contributes to the open Em7 chord voicing.

String 3 (G): Tuned down 3 semitones to E3. This is the root note of the Em7 chord in its open voicing.

String 2 (B): Tuned down 4 semitones to G3. This is a substantial drop, adding another G note to the open chord and requiring careful tuning.

String 1 (High E): Tuned down 2 semitones to D4. This completes the Em7 chord with the 7th an octave higher, maintaining a consistent harmonic character.