Tuning Description: Open E7

This "Open E7" tuning, as described by its creator as an experimental result of "messing around with open chords," transforms your guitar into a powerful sonic landscape. It naturally creates a rich E dominant 7th chord when strummed open, providing an instant full, resonant sound that's both vibrant and gritty, perfect for driving blues, rock, and slide guitar styles.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are (from low E to high E): E2 B2 D3 G4# D4 E4. Analyzing these notes reveals the following chord structure:

• E (Root): Provided by the 6th (E2) and 1st (E4) strings, giving a strong fundamental.
• B (Perfect Fifth): Found on the 5th string (B2).
• D (Minor Seventh): Present on both the 4th (D3) and 2nd (D4) strings, reinforcing the dominant seventh quality.
• G# (Major Third): Located on the 3rd string (G4#), providing the essential major tonality for the dominant chord.

When these notes are combined (E, G#, B, D), they form a clear E dominant 7th chord. This makes the tuning incredibly versatile for playing blues progressions, classic rock riffs, and for slide guitar, where the open strings easily resonate with this characteristic harmony. The spread voicing, particularly with the G4# on the 3rd string being higher than the D4 on the 2nd string, creates a unique, bright, and resonant sound, emphasizing the upper extensions of the chord.

Chords Within Reach:

The primary advantage of an open 7th tuning like this is its immediate playability. Simply strumming all open strings delivers a powerful E7. This makes it ideal for rhythm guitar, offering an instant full-bodied chord. Moving a single finger across all strings (a barre) at any fret will instantly give you another dominant 7th chord in that key (e.g., barring all strings at the 3rd fret will produce a G7 chord). This allows for fluid movement between dominant 7th chords, which is a staple in blues and rock. The open nature also lends itself perfectly to slide guitar, allowing for smooth glissandos and vibrato over a stable harmonic foundation.

How to Tune:

To achieve this "Open E7" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise adjustments for each string:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone. (Note: The target open note for this string is G4#, indicating a significant upward adjustment from standard G3.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Considerations: When tuning strings up, especially more than a few semitones, proceed with caution to avoid string breakage and to prevent excessive tension on your guitar neck. While the upward movements in this specific tuning (maximum of +3 semitones) are generally within a safe range for standard gauge strings, always tune slowly and listen carefully. For tunings that require movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down (e.g., +12 for an octave up or -12 for an octave down), a different string gauge is typically advised to maintain optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent potential damage.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to E2 (Same as Standard Low E).

String 5 (A): Tuned to B2 (2 semitones above Standard A2).

String 4 (D): Tuned to D3 (Same as Standard D3).

String 3 (G): Tuned to G4# (This is 13 semitones above Standard G3, effectively an octave and a semitone up).

String 2 (B): Tuned to D4 (3 semitones above Standard B3).

String 1 (High E): Tuned to E4 (Same as Standard High E4).