Tuning Overview

This unique open tuning, which we'll call "E Minor 7 (add4) Drone", transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape. By altering only the second (B) string, it creates an open Em7 chord with an added perfect 4th (A) and a doubled high E, providing a rich, full-bodied drone. The sound is inherently moody, bluesy, and can lean into rock or even folk genres where a deep, sustained resonance is desired. It's particularly effective for rhythmic playing, slide guitar, or creating expansive, layered soundscapes.

Technical Analysis

Starting from standard EADGBe tuning, the only modification is to the 2nd string. The standard B3 is tuned up by 5 semitones to E4, matching the 1st string. This results in the open string notes of E2-A2-D3-G3-E4-E4.

Analyzing the open notes (E, A, D, G, E, E), we find the following intervals relative to the root E:

• 6th String (E2): Root
• 5th String (A2): Perfect 4th
• 4th String (D3): Minor 7th
• 3rd String (G3): Minor 3rd
• 2nd String (E4): Root (Octave)
• 1st String (E4): Root (Octave)

This configuration essentially creates an E Minor 7 chord with an added 4th (A). The absence of the perfect 5th (B) gives it a unique, slightly open and less dense quality, while the doubled high E strings create a strong, resonant drone.

Open String Chords:

• E Minor 7 (add4): Strumming all open strings yields this rich, complex chord (E-A-D-G-E-E). It's a fantastic starting point for blues, rock, or atmospheric music.

Reachable Chords & Voicings:

• Movable Barre Chords: A single-finger barre across all six strings at any fret will produce a movable Minor 7 (add4) chord shape, allowing you to easily transpose the open chord to other keys. For example, barring at the 3rd fret yields G minor 7 (add4), and at the 5th fret, A minor 7 (add4).
• Drone Textures: The prominent E notes (6th, 2nd, 1st strings) make it very easy to create sustained drone effects, especially when playing melodic lines on the middle strings.
• Simplified Power Chords: Omitting the lower strings and focusing on the higher ones can give powerful, resonant voicings. For example, simply barring the top three strings (D-G-E-E) at a fret will give interesting harmonic clusters.
• Folk & Slide Applications: The open, resonant quality and the availability of the minor 3rd and 7th make it well-suited for blues slide guitar or open folk strumming patterns.

How to Tune

To achieve the "E Minor 7 (add4) Drone" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune to E2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): Tune to A2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): Tune to D3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G): Tune to G3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 5 semitones from B3 to E4. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant tension increase. Consider using a lighter gauge string for the 2nd string or proceed with care to avoid string breakage.
• 1st String (High E): Tune to E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

6th String: E2 (Low E)

5th String: A2

4th String: D3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: E4

1st String: E4 (High E)