The "Tegan and Sara Open Em7" tuning (originally known as 'Like O Like H') transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape, inspired by the distinctive voicings often found in alternative and indie music, particularly fitting for the style of artists like Tegan and Sara. Departing significantly from standard E tuning, this configuration offers a unique palette for songwriting and exploration.

Verbal Analysis

At first strum, this tuning immediately offers a rich, open E minor 7 chord, making it perfect for creating atmospheric and melancholic textures without complex fretting. The resonant quality comes from the specific arrangement of E, G, D, D, B, E across the strings. The doubled D notes (on the 4th and 3rd strings) create a powerful drone, providing a stable foundation for melodies and percussive strumming. This tuning encourages a more open, modal approach to playing, where fingerings can be simplified, and the natural resonance of the open strings becomes a central feature of your sound. It's a tuning that evokes a sense of introspection and depth, ideal for creating layered sonic backdrops or driving indie anthems.

Technical Analysis

This guitar tuning sets the strings to E2-G2-D3-D3-B3-E4 from lowest to highest. Upon closer inspection, the open strings directly spell out an **E minor 7 chord (E-G-B-D)**. The root (E) is present on the 6th and 1st strings, the minor third (G) on the 5th string, the perfect fifth (B) on the 2nd string, and the minor seventh (D) is prominently featured and doubled on the 4th and 3rd strings. This makes the tuning an excellent **Open E minor 7** tuning, providing a full, rich chord with minimal effort.

Chordal Opportunities with Open Strings:

• Open E minor 7: Strumming all strings open will yield a beautiful and full Em7 chord, perfect for atmospheric introductions or sustained harmonies. This is the core sound of the tuning.
• G Major / G6 / Gadd9: By muting or ignoring the 6th string E, the remaining open strings (G2-D3-D3-B3-E4) strongly outline a G major triad (G-B-D) with added extensions, making it easy to form G-based chords with simple fingerings. Fretting the 6th string at the 3rd fret for a G will further solidify a G major tonality.
• D Drone Chords: The two adjacent D strings (4th and 3rd) provide a powerful drone, enabling easy exploration of D-based chords or melodic ideas where D acts as a sustained root or pedal tone. Simple two-finger chords across these strings can create rich textures.
• Suspended Chords & Modal Play: The open nature and presence of the minor third (G) and minor seventh (D) encourage exploration of suspended chords and modal harmony, making it a fertile ground for expressive and non-standard chord voicings. Simple single-finger barres can create interesting suspended or diminished qualities.

Open String Notes:

String 6 (Low E): E2
String 5 (A): G2
String 4 (D): D3
String 3 (G): D3
String 2 (B): B3
String 1 (High E): E4

How to Tune to "Tegan and Sara Open Em7":

To achieve the "Tegan and Sara Open Em7" tuning from standard E, follow these steps carefully:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A to G2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G to D3. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. If you plan to use this tuning frequently or for extended periods, consider using a lighter gauge string for your 3rd string to maintain optimal tension and prevent potential issues with string floppiness or intonation.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E4.

Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid over-tightening or snapping strings. Use a reliable tuner for accuracy and double-check each string's pitch after adjusting others, as tension changes can affect neighboring strings.