Verbal Analysis:

The 'minor 9 11 piano tunning' is a truly distinctive setup designed to bring a rich, piano-like harmonic complexity to the guitar. It establishes a deep, resonant E minor 7 chord across the lower four strings, providing a sophisticated harmonic foundation that's immediately full and expressive. The upper strings then introduce vibrant extensions, adding the Major 9th (F#) and the Perfect 11th (A). This creates an open E minor 9 (add 11) voicing, perfect for jazz, fusion, or ambient soundscapes where rich, extended harmonies are desired.

What makes this tuning particularly unique is its re-entrant nature and significant intervallic jumps. The 2nd string is tuned to F#4, while the 1st string is tuned to A3, making the 2nd string higher pitched than the 1st. This striking contrast can be utilized for surprising melodic turns and dense, shimmering textures. This arrangement encourages a different approach to finger placement and composition, allowing for open, ringing chords with complex inner voices.

Technical Analysis:

• Open String Voicing: The open strings produce the notes E2-G2-B2-D3-F#4-A3. This forms an E minor 9 (add 11) chord, a highly sophisticated voicing commonly found in jazz and contemporary music.
• Interval Structure:
  • Low E to G (String 6 to 5): minor 3rd (3 semitones)
  • G to B (String 5 to 4): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
  • B to D (String 4 to 3): minor 3rd (3 semitones)
  • D to F# (String 3 to 2): Major 10th (D3 to F#4) - a very wide interval of 16 semitones, indicating a significant upward jump across an octave.
  • F# to A (String 2 to 1): Descending minor 6th (F#4 to A3) - highlights the re-entrant nature where the second string is higher pitched than the first, with a 9 semitone drop.
• Harmonic Potential: The lower four strings perfectly outline an E minor 7 chord (E-G-B-D). The addition of F# on the 2nd string brings the Major 9th, and A on the 1st string adds the 11th, creating a full Em9(add11) open chord.
• Chordal Opportunities:
  • The open tuning itself is a rich E minor 9 (add 11), ready for immediate use across various genres.
  • Barring across all strings at any fret will produce other minor 9 (add 11) chords, such as F minor 9 (add 11) at the first fret.
  • The consistent minor 3rd / Major 3rd / minor 3rd pattern on the lowest strings (strings 6-3) allows for easy formation of other minor 7th shapes by shifting a few fingers.
  • The high F# on string 2 and the relatively lower A on string 1 can be used to create unique arpeggiated patterns and sustained drones, offering textures not typically found in standard guitar tunings.

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'minor 9 11 piano tunning' from standard E-A-D-G-B-E guitar tuning, follow these specific string adjustments. Please note that significant downward tuning (more than 4 semitones or -4 semitones) may require a different string gauge to maintain tension and tone, and should be approached with care.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your target note from standard E2 is E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones. Your target note from standard A2 is G2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones. Your target note from standard D3 is B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones. Your target note from standard G3 is D3. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant adjustment. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal performance and string tension.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 5 semitones. Your target note from standard B3 is E3. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant adjustment. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal performance and string tension. Please note that this movement, from standard B3, results in E3, which differs from the F#4 listed in the final tuning notes.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones. Your target note from standard E4 is A3. (Note: Tuning down 7 semitones is a very substantial adjustment. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for proper tension and tone stability.)

Here are the target notes for each string in this tuning:

• String 6: E2
• String 5: G2
• String 4: B2
• String 3: D3
• String 2: F4#
• String 1: A3