EBEG#BD Guitar Tuner

EBEG#BD | EBEA♭BD Open E7 - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Open E7

Open-D DADF#AD (and occasionally open-E EBEG#BD) are often called Sevestapol Tuning, after an open-tuned song that was popular, and which in turn popularized these tunings, in the late 1800s.

Tuning Analysis: Open E7

The Open E7 tuning transforms your guitar into a vibrant, bluesy chord machine. Building upon the classic Open E tuning (E B E G# B E), this variation cleverly incorporates the minor seventh (D) to create a dominant E7 chord with all open strings. This tuning is strongly reminiscent of its close relatives, Open D (DADF#AD) and Open E (EBEG#BE), both of which are sometimes referred to as 'Sevastopol Tuning' due to their popularization by a song of the same name in the late 1800s.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately resonates with blues, slide guitar, and classic rock. Strumming the open strings delivers a rich, full E7 chord, providing a fantastic foundation for improvisation and songwriting in the key of E. The inclusion of the minor seventh (D) on the first string adds a distinct tension and drive, making it excellent for blues shuffles, boogie-woogie, and funk. Players will find it incredibly intuitive for slide guitar, where the open chord allows for effortless movement up and down the fretboard to create major, minor, and dominant 7th chords simply by barring. Its versatility also extends to folk and country, offering a unique sonic texture and making complex harmonies more accessible.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are: E2 B2 E3 G#4 B3 D4.

E2 (6th String): The foundational root note, providing depth.
B2 (5th String): The perfect fifth, adding harmonic stability.
E3 (4th String): Another root note, reinforcing the tonic.
G#4 (3rd String): The major third, defining the major quality of the chord.
B3 (2nd String): Another perfect fifth.
D4 (1st String): The crucial minor seventh, giving the dominant 7th character.

Together, these notes form a complete E7 chord (E, G#, B, D), making it a truly 'open' dominant 7th tuning. This means that a single finger barre across any fret will instantly yield another dominant 7th chord. For example, a barre at the 1st fret gives an F7, at the 3rd fret a G7, and so on. This accessibility simplifies playing complex harmonies and makes it a favorite for rhythm guitarists and those exploring alternative chord voicings.

How to Tune

To achieve the Open E7 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note that string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down often suggest using a different string gauge for optimal tension and longevity. However, all adjustments for this specific tuning fall within typical safe ranges for standard guitar strings.