Tuning Analysis: Open Em7 Riot

This unique tuning, aptly named Open Em7 Riot, draws inspiration from experimental and alternative rock sounds, reminiscent of artists who push the boundaries of conventional guitar tunings. It's crafted for evocative textures, resonant drones, and a naturally introspective or melancholic feel due to its inherent minor seventh tonality.

Verbal Analysis

The 'Open Em7 Riot' tuning offers a rich, layered sound with a distinct emotional quality. Its open string configuration immediately presents a full E minor seventh chord, providing a powerful and atmospheric foundation for musical exploration. This makes it an excellent choice for creating expansive soundscapes, droning melodies, and intricate fingerstyle passages. The wide range of notes across the strings, from the deep E2 to the bright G4, allows for interesting harmonic interplay and sustained resonance. It encourages a less conventional approach to chord voicings and lead lines, inviting players to discover new sonic possibilities that leverage the unique intervals and open string sustain.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: E2 (5th String), G2 (4th String), D3 (3rd String), B2 (2nd String), G4 (1st String). When all strings are played open, they form a clear and resonant E minor seventh chord (Em7). The specific notes correspond to the root (E2), minor third (G2), minor seventh (D3), fifth (B2), and an octave higher minor third (G4). This structure makes playing Em7 chords effortless; a single finger barred across any fret will instantly yield a new minor seventh chord (e.g., F minor 7 at the 1st fret, F# minor 7 at the 2nd fret, etc.). The repetition of the G note (G2 and G4) provides a strong harmonic anchor and contributes to the tuning's resonant qualities. The arrangement of notes also facilitates wide arpeggios and allows for open strings to serve as drones underneath melodic phrases, characteristic of many experimental and alternative tunings.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

Follow these steps to tune your guitar to Open Em7 Riot. Please exercise caution, especially with significant semitone adjustments:

• 5th String (A String): Tune to E2 by tuning up 5 semitones. Warning: Tuning up 5 semitones (a perfect fourth) is a significant tension increase; consider using a lighter gauge string for this, as it exceeds the recommended safe limit of 4 semitones.
• 4th String (D String): Tune to G2 by tuning up 3 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a moderate adjustment; proceed carefully.
• 3rd String (G String): Tune to D3 by tuning up 5 semitones. Warning: Tuning up 5 semitones (a perfect fourth) is a significant tension increase; consider using a lighter gauge string for this, as it exceeds the recommended safe limit of 4 semitones.
• 2nd String (B String): Tune to B2 by tuning down 3 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate adjustment and might result in a slightly looser feel on the string; proceed carefully.
• 1st String (High E String): Tune to G4 by tuning up 3 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a moderate adjustment; proceed carefully.

Tuning Notes

Here are the target notes for each string in the Open Em7 Riot tuning, from thickest to thinnest:

5th String: E2
4th String: G2
3rd String: D3
2nd String: B2
1st String: G4