Tuning Overview: Open A Major 7th

This is a captivating Guitar tuning, aptly named "open amaj7" as it forms an open a major 7 tuning. When strummed open, all strings collectively resonate to form a rich A Major 7th chord. This creates an immediate lush, jazzy, and sophisticated sound, perfect for genres ranging from blues and R&B to contemporary folk and experimental music.

The presence of the Major 7th interval (G#) alongside the root (A), major third (C#), and perfect fifth (E) provides a harmonious and complete chord, allowing for easy sonic exploration. The repeated E and A notes across different octaves (E2, A2, A3, E4) contribute to a full-bodied and resonant sound, giving the tuning a powerful and sustaining quality.

Technical Analysis

Compared to standard EADGBe tuning, this configuration transforms the guitar into an open A Major 7th chord. The notes of the open strings are E2, A2, C#4, G#4, A3, E4. These notes resolve to the core components of an A Major 7th chord: A (root), C# (major third), E (perfect fifth), and G# (major seventh), with additional octaves of A and E providing depth.

• The 6th string (low E) remains at E2, providing a foundational bass note.
• The 5th string (A) remains at A2, serving as the root of the open chord.
• The 4th string is tuned down from D to C#4, creating the major third of the A Major 7th chord.
• The 3rd string is tuned up from G to G#4, establishing the crucial major seventh interval.
• The 2nd string is tuned down from B to A3, doubling the root an octave higher.
• The 1st string (high E) remains at E4, completing the chord with another fifth.

This specific note arrangement makes playing across the fretboard incredibly intuitive for Major 7th chords. A simple barre across any fret will yield a Major 7th chord rooted at that fret position. For example, barring at the 5th fret will produce a D Major 7th. Beyond simple barres, the open G# and C# strings offer unique voicings for altered chords or melodic leads, and the consistent low E and A provide a stable harmonic base. Chords like A Major 7th (open), E Major 7th (by fretting certain strings), and others are easily accessible, as well as opportunities for creative arpeggios and drone playing.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Open A Major 7th Chord Tuning" from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments. Please note that movements of 4 semitones or more (up or down) generally suggest considering a different string gauge, but all adjustments for this tuning are well within safe limits for standard strings.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Target Note: E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Target Note: A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone. Target Note: C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone. Target Note: G#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones. Target Note: A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Target Note: E4.

6th String: E2

5th String: A2

4th String: C#4

3rd String: G#4

2nd String: A3

1st String: E4