The Open Em9 (or Open E minor nine) tuning for an 8-string guitar is a rich and complex soundscape, perfect for creating dark, atmospheric, and technically challenging pieces. It offers a deep, resonant base with shimmering higher notes, lending itself well to both intricate fingerstyle and powerful, open-string strumming. This tuning is particularly effective for genres like progressive metal, ambient soundscapes, or any style requiring a broad harmonic palette and extended low range.

Technical Analysis

Technically, the open strings of this 8-string guitar tuning form an E minor 9 chord (E-G-B-D-F#), spread across a wide range. The lowest notes provide a strong fundamental and fifth, while the mid-range fills out the minor third, seventh, and ninth, culminating in the higher octaves of the root and fifth. This layered voicing creates an inherent harmonic richness.

• String 8 (E1): The fundamental Root, providing a deep, resonant low end.
• String 7 (B1): The Perfect Fifth, reinforcing the E minor harmony.
• String 6 (E2): An Octave of the Root, adding depth and power.
• String 5 (F3#): The Major Ninth (or major second), adding jazz-like extension and tension.
• String 4 (D3): The Minor Seventh, crucial for the minor 7th component of the Em9.
• String 3 (G3): The Minor Third, defining the minor quality of the chord.
• String 2 (B3): Another Perfect Fifth, adding brightness and sustain.
• String 1 (E4): A higher Octave of the Root, completing the full sonic spectrum.

The full interval structure from the lowest E1 is: Unison (E), Perfect Fifth (B), Octave (E), Major Ninth (F#), Minor Seventh (D), Minor Tenth (G), Octave + Fifth (B), Two Octaves (E).

Chord Opportunities

Strumming all open strings yields a powerful and resonant E minor 9 chord. This is a fantastic starting point for compositions, immediately establishing a melancholic yet sophisticated harmonic foundation. Due to the inherent Em9, many common minor and minor 7th voicings become easily accessible with minimal fingerings. For instance, barring across various frets can easily generate different minor 9th chords, or even minor 7ths (by strategically muting or omitting the F# string). For example, a simple barre at the 5th fret across strings 8-2 (E-B-E-F#-D-G-B) would produce an A minor 9 or a related voicing, as the underlying E minor 9 structure shifts. Experimenting with two- or three-finger chord shapes higher up the neck will reveal unique voicings that leverage the open string drone, making complex harmonies surprisingly intuitive to play.

How to Tune Your Guitar

• String 8 (lowest): Tune down 2 semitones to E1.
• String 7: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B1.
• String 6: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to F3#.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (highest): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Important Note: For tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advised to consider a different gauge string to prevent undue stress on your instrument or potential string breakage. The changes in this tuning are moderate, making it generally safe for standard string gauges.

String 8 (lowest): E1

String 7: B1

String 6: E2

String 5: F3#

String 4: D3

String 3: G3

String 2: B3

String 1 (highest): E4