This tuning, named 7 String E7, is described as a good blues tuning for a 7-string lap steel guitar. It offers a rich, resonant soundscape, immediately providing a complete E7 chord when strummed open. This makes it an exceptionally strong foundation for blues, slide guitar, and country styles where a dominant seventh chord is frequently used.

Verbal Analysis

The 7 String E7 tuning is designed to give you that classic bluesy 'resolve' right from the open strings. It feels vibrant and full, making it easy to hit strong harmonic points with minimal effort. The open E7 chord rings out beautifully, providing a rich, jazzy-blues texture. The specific voicing, particularly the higher G# on the 4th string compared to the 3rd string's B, creates a bright, almost chime-like quality in the upper register while maintaining a deep, resonant bass. This unique string arrangement allows for distinct melodic and harmonic possibilities, well-suited for the expressive nature of lap steel playing.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned as follows, from thickest (String 7) to thinnest (String 1):

• String 7: E2 (Root)
• String 6: B2 (Perfect 5th relative to E2)
• String 5: E3 (Octave relative to E2)
• String 4: G#4 (Major 3rd relative to E2, but an octave above what would be G#3, placing it higher than the B3 on String 3)
• String 3: B3 (Perfect 5th relative to E2, forming a re-entrant interval with String 4)
• String 2: D4 (Minor 7th relative to E2)
• String 1: E4 (Two octaves relative to E2)

This configuration directly forms an E Dominant 7th (E7) chord (E-G#-B-D) across the open strings. The chord contains the root (E), major third (G#), perfect fifth (B), and minor seventh (D), providing the characteristic tension and resolution associated with dominant seven chords. The re-entrant tuning between String 4 (G#4) and String 3 (B3), where String 4 is higher in pitch than String 3, is a distinctive feature often found in lap steel tunings to facilitate specific chord voicings and melodic approaches.

Accessible Chords and Playability

With an E7 chord readily available, this tuning is highly intuitive for blues. Sliding a bar up the fretboard allows for instant transposition to other dominant seventh chords (e.g., slide to the 5th fret for A7, 7th fret for B7, etc.), making it easy to play standard blues progressions. The inherent harmonic richness also supports melodic improvisation, as many notes of the E blues scale and E Mixolydian scale will sound natural against the open chord. Additionally, by simply adjusting a single string or two, you can easily derive related chords:

• E Major: Can be achieved by raising the D4 on String 2 to D#4 (or muting it).
• E Minor 7: Can be achieved by flattening the G#4 on String 4 to G4.

This tuning is excellent for exploring blues riffs, soulful melodies, and chordal voicings with a slide, providing a versatile platform for traditional and contemporary lap steel techniques.

How to Tune Your 7-String Lap Steel to E7

To achieve the 7 String E7 tuning, you will need to adjust your strings precisely according to the movements below. Please note that for movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down) from your string's current pitch, it is generally advised to consider a different string gauge to ensure optimal string tension, prevent breakage, and maintain instrument integrity.

• String 7 (Lowest E): Tune up 5 semitones to E2. (Recommended: Consider a heavier gauge string for this significant upward tuning.)
• String 6 (B): Tune up 7 semitones to B2. (Recommended: Consider a heavier gauge string for this significant upward tuning.)
• String 5 (E): Tune up 7 semitones to E3. (Recommended: Consider a heavier gauge string for this significant upward tuning.)
• String 4 (G#): Tune up 6 semitones to G#4. (Recommended: Consider a heavier gauge string for this significant upward tuning.)
• String 3 (B): Tune up 4 semitones to B3. (Recommended: Consider a heavier gauge string for this upward tuning.)
• String 2 (D): Tune up 3 semitones to D4.
• String 1 (Highest E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.