The "B minor 9 with E bass" Tuning

Welcome to a truly unique and evocative tuning designed to open up new sonic landscapes, particularly well-suited for genres like math rock. This tuning, named "B minor 9 with E bass," is expertly crafted to deliver a rich, complex harmonic texture centered around a B minor 9 chord, anchored by a deep E in the bass.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately impresses with its spacious and sophisticated sound. The prominent E bass provides a grounding anchor, against which the upper strings weave a beautiful, melancholic B minor 9 voicing. The wider intervals and the inclusion of the major 9th (C#) give it an open, airy quality, avoiding the congestion of standard tunings. It's an excellent choice for creating shimmering arpeggios, atmospheric textures, and intricate melodic lines that characterize modern progressive and math rock styles. You'll find that many open string combinations resonate with a pleasing dissonance or a haunting beauty, encouraging exploration beyond conventional chord shapes.

Technical Analysis

Let's break down the individual string notes and their harmonic implications:

• String 6 (Low E): E2 - The foundation of the tuning, providing a strong bass anchor.
• String 5: B2 - Tuned up to B from standard A, this serves as the root of the intended B minor 9 chord.
• String 4: D3 - This is the minor third of B, giving the chord its minor quality.
• String 3: A3 - Tuned up to A from standard G, this note is the minor seventh of B, adding the crucial dominant 7th character.
• String 2: C#5 - Tuned up to C# from standard B, this is the major ninth of B, which adds significant harmonic richness and tension to the chord. Note the large leap to C#5 on the second string, creating an expansive interval.
• String 1 (High E): E4 - The highest string retains its standard E, acting as an 11th (or 4th) over the B root, and an octave for the bass E, further enhancing the open, resonant quality.

The open strings (E2 B2 D3 A3 C#5 E4) primarily form an E minor 11/13-like sound, which is complex and open-voiced. However, as described, the core intent is to create a B minor 9 voicing (B D A C#) over the E bass. This combination results in a sophisticated, open-voiced chord that sounds simultaneously grounded and ethereal.

Due to the unique intervallic structure, several intriguing chord voicings become readily available on open strings or with minimal fretting. Simply strumming the open strings yields a rich, overtonal chord. Chords based around the B on the 5th string will often reveal surprising extensions and colors. The wide spacing between the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings (A3, C#5, E4) invites melodic figures and arpeggios that would be awkward in standard tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve this distinctive tuning, carefully adjust your strings as follows. Remember to tune slowly and incrementally, especially for strings requiring upward movement, to avoid snapping.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B. (Caution: Tuning up 2 semitones is a moderate change; ensure your string gauge can handle the increased tension.)
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A. (Caution: Tuning up 2 semitones is a moderate change; ensure your string gauge can handle the increased tension.)
• String 2 (B): Tune up 2 semitones to C#. (Caution: Tuning up 2 semitones is a moderate change; ensure your string gauge can handle the increased tension.)
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

For string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advisable to consider a different gauge string to maintain optimal playability and string longevity. Always listen to your guitar and strings during the tuning process.

String 6: E2 - Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
String 5: B2 - Tune up 2 semitones.
String 4: D3 - Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
String 3: A3 - Tune up 2 semitones.
String 2: C#5 - Tune up 2 semitones.
String 1: E4 - Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).