Analysis of Octave Drop Emin7 Tuning

This unique 7-string guitar tuning, aptly named "Octave Drop Emin7," offers a deep, resonant, and harmonically rich foundation, primarily built around an E minor 7 chord. As described by the user, this tuning is practical for use in personal songs and practice routines, indicating its versatility and a strong preference for its sonic characteristics.

Verbal Analysis

The most striking feature of the "Octave Drop Emin7" is the immediate presence of a full E minor 7 chord when strumming all open strings (E-G-B-D). This creates an incredibly wide and lush harmonic landscape, perfect for expansive, ambient textures or heavy, droning riffs. The inclusion of two E notes across a full octave (E1 and E2) provides an exceptionally deep and solid low end, ideal for styles like progressive metal, doom, or even film scoring, where a powerful, sustained bass foundation is key. The repeating B notes also contribute to a resonant, almost choir-like quality, emphasizing the perfect fifth of the E minor chord. The lowest E1 string is particularly noteworthy, reaching well below standard 7-string tunings, promising an impactful sonic weight.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are configured as E1-E2-B2-E3-G3-B3-D4. This arrangement provides a comprehensive voicing of an E minor 7 chord across more than three octaves. The intervals between strings are designed for both harmonic richness and potential melodic interplay:

• String 7 (E1) to String 6 (E2): Perfect Octave (P8)
• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (B2): Perfect Fifth (P5)
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (E3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• String 4 (E3) to String 3 (G3): Minor Third (m3)
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B3): Major Third (M3)
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (D4): Minor Third (m3)

This configuration makes open E minor and E minor 7 chords exceptionally accessible. Power chords on the lowest strings will have immense depth and resonance due to the multiple low E and B notes. Furthermore, the E-G-B-D structure lends itself to easily forming E minor scale runs and arpeggios. Other chords in the E minor key, such as G major, C major, or A minor, might require some adaptation from standard fingering patterns, but the open E and B notes can serve as effective drones or pedal tones. The presence of E3, G3, B3, D4 on the middle to high strings creates a familiar minor triad shape on the upper register, similar to parts of standard tuning but with different lower string relationships.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Octave Drop Emin7" tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune down 7 semitones to E1.
• String 6: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• String 5: Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4: Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• 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 String): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Note on String Gauges: Adjustments that involve tuning a string up or down by 4 or more semitones can significantly impact string tension and potentially damage your instrument or strings. For the 7th string which is tuned down 7 semitones, it is highly recommended to use a significantly heavier gauge string to maintain proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string flop. While tuning up 2 semitones is generally acceptable, always exercise caution and listen to your instrument's feedback.