Tuning Analysis: Open D# Sus 7

This unique tuning, which we've named Open D# Sus 7, creates a rich and resonant soundscape, ideal for experimental, ambient, or progressive musical styles. While the original description jokingly noted it 'sounded cool', a deeper dive reveals its intriguing harmonic potential.

Verbal Description

When strummed open, this tuning produces a full, shimmering, and somewhat ethereal chord. The presence of the suspended fourth (G#) and the minor seventh (C#) gives it a contemporary and slightly melancholic or bluesy feel, rather than a straightforward major or minor tonality. The repeated D# and A# notes across different octaves create a powerful, droning foundation, allowing for sustained, ringing notes that can evoke a sense of space and openness. It's a tuning that invites exploration, encouraging melodic lines and chord voicings that might not be immediately obvious in standard tuning. It could lend itself well to fingerstyle arrangements or slide guitar, where the open, ringing quality can be fully exploited.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are D#3, A#3, C#4, G#4, A#4, D#5. Analyzing these pitches, the unique notes present are D#, A#, C#, and G#.

• Root: D#
• Fifth: A# (Perfect fifth above D#)
• Minor Seventh: C# (Minor seventh above D#)
• Suspended Fourth: G# (Perfect fourth above D#)

This combination forms a D#sus4(b7) or D#7sus4 chord. It's a dominant seventh chord with a suspended fourth instead of a major third, giving it an ambiguous yet compelling character. The intervals are spread across the fretboard, providing a wide harmonic canvas. The voicing (D#3-A#3-C#4-G#4-A#4-D#5) ensures a balanced and full sound when strummed open.

Chords and Playability

The open strings themselves form a beautiful D#sus4(b7) chord, making it an excellent starting point for songwriting in this key. Barre chords become easy to form: simply barring all six strings at any fret will yield a new Sus4(b7) chord in that key. For example, barring at the 1st fret creates an E7sus4 (E A B D). Minor and major triads will require more targeted finger placement, but the open nature of the tuning allows for creative droning with individual notes. The tight grouping of notes on the higher strings (G#4, A#4, D#5) could facilitate interesting melodic runs and arpeggios, while the lower D#3 and A#3 provide a solid harmonic foundation.

How to Tune

Achieving the "Open D# Sus 7" tuning requires specific adjustments to your guitar strings. Please refer to the instructions below for each string. Due to the significant pitch increases required for all strings if starting from standard EADGBe tuning, it is highly recommended to use a lighter gauge string set. Proceed with caution to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument.

• String 6 (Low E): To reach D#3, tune up 11 semitones from standard E2. (The tuning JSON indicates a relative movement of tuning down 1 semitone from a hypothetical E3.)
• String 5 (A): To reach A#3, tune up 13 semitones from standard A2. (The tuning JSON indicates a relative movement of tuning up 1 semitone from a hypothetical A3.)
• String 4 (D): To reach C#4, tune up 11 semitones from standard D3. (The tuning JSON indicates a relative movement of tuning down 1 semitone from a hypothetical D4.)
• String 3 (G): To reach G#4, tune up 13 semitones from standard G3. (The tuning JSON indicates a relative movement of tuning up 1 semitone from a hypothetical G4.)
• String 2 (B): To reach A#4, tune up 11 semitones from standard B3. (The tuning JSON indicates a relative movement of tuning down 1 semitone from a hypothetical B4.)
• String 1 (High E): To reach D#5, tune up 11 semitones from standard E4. (The tuning JSON indicates a relative movement of tuning down 1 semitone from a hypothetical E5.)

The movements described in the JSON (e.g., "tune down 1 semitones") refer to small adjustments from a starting point that is already very high in pitch compared to standard guitar tuning. For most players starting from E standard, the full pitch change will be substantial, exceeding the recommended +/- 4 semitones. Always use a reliable tuner and tune slowly.