Tuning Overview: Sobota Open A7 Blues Tuning

This 'Sobota' tuning, as described by its creator, is purpose-built for blues songs, aiming to achieve 'odder jangly tones,' particularly from its middle strings. It offers a unique sonic landscape, blending traditional blues foundations with an unconventional sparkle.

Technical Analysis:

At its core, the open strings of the Sobota tuning form a rich and resonant A Dominant 7th chord. The notes, from low to high (6th to 1st string), are E2 A2 C#3 G3 A3 C#4. This configuration creates an open A7 chord, with the E2 serving as the fifth in the bass, providing a strong, foundational root for blues progressions. The duplicated A and C# notes across different octaves contribute to a full, harmonically dense sound, perfectly suited for the intended 'jangly' quality.

The intervallic structure of the open strings, with A as the root, is as follows:

• 6th String (E2): The 5th of A7
• 5th String (A2): The Root of A7
• 4th String (C#3): The Major 3rd of A7
• 3rd String (G3): The Minor 7th of A7
• 2nd String (A3): The Root of A7 (octave higher)
• 1st String (C#4): The Major 3rd of A7 (octave higher)

Playability and Chords:

The beauty of this open A7 tuning lies in its immediate blues utility. By simply barring across any fret, you instantly create a dominant 7th chord. For example, barring at the 1st fret yields a B♭7, at the 3rd fret a C7, and at the 5th fret a D7, making blues vamps and turnarounds incredibly intuitive. The open G string (3rd string) against the A and C# on adjacent strings creates the characteristic dominant 7th tension, ideal for blues. The 'odder jangly tones' likely stem from this unique voicing and the sympathetic resonance between the carefully selected notes, especially the vibrant interplay between the A3 and C#4 on the higher strings and the G3 adjacent to them. This tuning is excellent for slide guitar and for crafting rich, open-string arpeggios.

Tuning Notes Reference (Sobota Open A7 Blues Tuning)

• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: C#3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: C#4

How to Tune Your Guitar for Sobota Open A7 Blues Tuning

To achieve the Sobota Open A7 Blues Tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D3 to C#3. Take care when adjusting the tension.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3. This is a moderate drop, ensuring string stability.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E4 to C#4. This is a significant drop; ensure your string gauge can handle the reduced tension for optimal tone and playability.

Important Note on String Gauge: For tunings that involve string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is generally advisable to consider using a different gauge string to maintain proper tension, intonation, and string life. While this tuning has no individual string movements exceeding 4 semitones, for the 1st string (High E) which drops by 3 semitones, ensuring a suitable string gauge will enhance playability and tone for the intended 'jangly' effect.