Tuning Analysis: Open Em9

This unique tuning, named "Open Em9," transforms your Guitar into a rich, open soundscape. It was first popularized by acoustic finger-style guitarist Wyatt Davidick, known for his intricate and expressive compositions. This tuning lends itself beautifully to melancholic, jazzy, and resonant styles, offering a broad palette for creative expression.

Technical Breakdown

When strummed open, this tuning presents the notes E, G, B, E, F#, D across the strings, from lowest (6th) to highest (1st). Arranged in pitch order, these notes form an E minor 9th chord (E-G-B-D-F#), providing a sophisticated and full harmonic foundation. The presence of the root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth creates a lush, complex sound that is both familiar and intriguing.

The open chord itself is perfectly voiced for expansive arpeggios and fingerstyle arrangements, eliminating the need for complex fretting to achieve a foundational E minor 9th. This also makes it very intuitive for exploring related minor keys, blues progressions in E, or even jazzy textures. Simplified voicings for G major (with the open G, B, D available) or D major/7th (with D and F#) can be easily found with minimal fretting, leveraging the open strings. The lower strings maintaining the E minor triad (E-G-B) provide a strong bass foundation, while the upper strings add the extended harmony and harmonic interest.

How to Tune

To achieve the Open Em9 tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) – remains E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones – to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones – to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones – to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 5 semitones – to F#3. Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant adjustment; for optimal tone and string tension, a different string gauge is strongly advised if you plan to use this tuning frequently.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones – to D4.

Remember to exercise caution when adjusting string tension. Any adjustment exceeding 4 semitones (up or down) generally requires a different string gauge to maintain proper playability, intonation, and string integrity, as well as to prevent damage to the guitar.

The Open Em9 tuning consists of the following notes when played open:

• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: G2
• 4th String: B2
• 3rd String: E3
• 2nd String: F4#
• 1st String: D4