Tuning Overview: G Wahine Major 7 (Slack Key)

This tuning, referred to as "G WAHINE - GMaj7 - Slack key" in its original context, is a beautiful and resonant open tuning. It's often associated with the evocative "Slack Key" tradition, which transforms your guitar into a rich, sonorous soundscape. This particular arrangement is specifically crafted to open up new harmonic possibilities, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing, Hawaiian music, and expressive ballads. The name "Wahine" refers to women in Hawaiian culture, often implying a lyrical and gentle quality, which this tuning delivers with its inviting open chord.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this is a delightful open G Major 7 tuning. When strummed openly, it immediately rings out a full, shimmering G Major 7 chord (G-B-D-F#), providing a rich harmonic foundation without needing to fret any strings. This makes it incredibly accessible for creating instant atmosphere and complex voicings. The "slack" nature of several strings (tuned down) contributes to a looser feel and enhanced sustain, giving notes a wonderful, almost singing quality. It's perfect for warm, mellow tones and intricate fingerpicking patterns where the open strings can drone harmonically, creating a lush, ethereal sound. The tuning feels very natural and flowing, encouraging improvisation within its key.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D2 G2 D3 F#4 B3 D4 (from the lowest string to the highest string). This precise arrangement forms a clear G Major 7 chord (G-B-D-F#) across the open strings. The root (G) is present on the 5th string, the 3rd (B) on the 2nd string, the 5th (D) on the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings, and the major 7th (F#) on the 3rd string. This strong reinforcement of the root and fifth, combined with the defining B and F# notes, gives the tuning its distinctive character.

Because the open strings form a complete G Major 7 chord, many common chord shapes are altered, but numerous new shapes become readily available and simplified. Moving a single finger on a string can often transform the open chord into other related harmonies, such as suspended or altered chords, using the open strings as a drone. For example, by fretting the 5th string (G) at the 2nd fret, you introduce an A, leading towards a Gsus2 or G6/9 voicing over the open strings. Barre chords played across the neck will also yield variations of Major 7th chords; for instance, a barre at the 5th fret will give you a C Major 7 chord, due to the consistent intervals across the strings. This structure encourages melodic lines and harmonies that naturally fit within the G Major 7 scale.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the G Wahine Major 7 tuning, follow these specific adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A to G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Stays D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Stays B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D4.

Please note: All string adjustments are minor (within 2 semitones), so your current string gauge should be perfectly suitable for this tuning. No special string gauge is required.

The string notes for this tuning are as follows:
6th String: D2 (The lowest string, tuned to D an octave below the open 4th string D)
5th String: G2 (Tuned to G, an octave below middle C)
4th String: D3 (Remains D, below middle C)
3rd String: F#4 (Tuned to F sharp, above middle C)
2nd String: B3 (Remains B, below middle C)
1st String: D4 (The highest string, tuned to D, above middle C)