Understanding the Emaj7 Open Tuning

This unique tuning for the Guitar, which the originator describes as sounding "very nice and I like it a lot," indeed offers a lush and resonant sonic landscape. We've named it the Emaj7 Open Tuning because of its beautiful harmonic structure, which is derived from the open string notes E2 B2 E3 G#4 B3 D#5.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a rich, full-bodied chord that rings out with simply an open strum – that's what this tuning delivers. It evokes a feeling of warmth, sophistication, and a slight yearning, characteristic of a Major 7th chord. It's perfectly suited for genres like jazz, folk, ambient, or any style where a full, harmonically interesting open sound is desired. This tuning invites experimentation with fingerstyle, slide guitar, and open drone passages, as the notes blend seamlessly to create a wide, expansive soundstage. The open string E-B-E foundation provides a strong, almost orchestral base from which the Major 3rd (G#) and Major 7th (D#) blossom.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to E2, B2, E3, G#4, B3, D#5 (from the lowest E string to the highest). When strummed open, these notes collectively form an E Major 7th (Emaj7) chord. Let's break down its components:

• E (Root): Found on the 6th string (E2) and 4th string (E3). This strong foundation gives the tuning its stability and tonal center.
• B (Perfect 5th): Present on the 5th string (B2) and 2nd string (B3). The fifth provides harmonic fullness and reinforces the major tonality.
• G# (Major 3rd): Located on the 3rd string (G#4). This note is crucial as it defines the major quality of the chord.
• D# (Major 7th): Found on the 1st string (D#5). The major seventh adds a sophisticated, 'jazzy' extension, giving the tuning its distinctive character and preventing it from sounding merely like a simple major triad.

Chords & Playability

The beauty of this tuning lies in its immediate harmonic gratification and ease of playing certain chord types:

• Open Chord: A full Emaj7 chord is played with a single strum of all open strings, providing a rich, shimmering sound. This is your primary open chord.
• Barre Chords: By simply barring all six strings at any fret, you can instantly create any Major 7th chord. For example, barring at the 1st fret yields Fmaj7, at the 2nd fret yields F#maj7, and so on. This makes transposing simple major 7th harmonies incredibly straightforward across the fretboard.
• Implied Chords: Experiment with partial voicings. Strumming just the lower three strings (E2, B2, E3) will give you a powerful E5 chord, perfect for rhythmic drive. Omitting the D# on the high E string still leaves a rich E Major triad with added 5ths, useful for a slightly less complex sound.
• Melodic Opportunities: The consistent E-B-E foundation allows for melodic runs that always return to a harmonically sympathetic background, making improvisation intuitive and rewarding. The open Major 7th quality means that notes played against this drone will naturally sound expressive and often melancholic or ethereal.

While traditional minor and dominant 7th chords will require more intricate fingering, the ease of access to major 7th harmony opens up a world of lyrical and expressive possibilities, particularly for songwriters and instrumentalists exploring open voicings.

How to Tune to Emaj7 Open Tuning

To achieve the Emaj7 Open Tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and adjust your strings as follows. All movements are within safe limits for standard guitar string gauges, so no special precautions are required.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones. This will raise your A string to B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones. This will raise your D string to E3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone. This will raise your G string to G#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone. This will lower your high E string to D#5.