The Open Emaj7 tuning transforms your guitar into a rich, resonant soundscape, immediately evoking sophisticated jazz, heartfelt blues, or dreamy ambient textures with a single strum. As its name suggests, all open strings collectively form a beautiful E major seventh chord, making it incredibly intuitive for creating lush harmonies and melodic lines without complex fingerings. This tuning offers a full and harmonically complete Emaj7 voicing, providing a versatile canvas for composition and improvisation.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is defined by the open string notes from low to high: E2, G3#, B2, E3, G4#, D5#. When analyzed, these notes clearly outline an E major seventh chord (E, G#, B, D#). The arrangement provides a strong foundation of the root (E) on the 6th and 3rd strings, the major third (G#) on the 5th and 2nd strings, the perfect fifth (B) on the 4th string, and the major seventh (D#) on the 1st string. This specific voicing offers a spread of the chord across multiple octaves, contributing to its full and vibrant character.

Compared to standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), this Open Emaj7 involves several string adjustments. The low E string remains unchanged. The A string (5th) is tuned down a semitone to G#3. The D string (4th) is tuned down three semitones to B2. The G string (3rd) is tuned down three semitones to E3. The B string (2nd) is tuned down three semitones from a standard B3 to G#3, though the target note is G4#. The high E string (1st) is tuned down one semitone from a standard E4 to D#4, though the target note is D5#.

Note: There's a notable octave discrepancy for the 1st and 2nd strings. While the tuning movements from standard tuning (EADGBe) imply pitches of G#3 and D#4 for strings 2 and 1 respectively, the stated final tuning notes are G4# and D5#. Achieving these higher pitches would typically require specialized string gauges or a guitar set up for higher registers, as standard strings tuned down to G#3 and D#4 will not magically jump an octave higher. Players should be aware of this and ensure their instrument and strings can safely handle the desired final pitches.

Chordal Opportunities

• Instant Emaj7 Chord: Strumming all open strings yields a rich Emaj7, perfect for ambient pads, slide guitar, or as a base for melodic exploration.
• Barre Chords: By barring all six strings at any fret, you can easily create major seventh chords in other keys. For example, barring at the 1st fret gives you Fmaj7, at the 3rd fret Gmaj7, and so on. This makes transposing simple and intuitive.
• Melodic Exploration: The consistent Emaj7 harmony across the strings makes it forgiving for improvisation. Scales like E Lydian or E Major Pentatonic will sound particularly pleasing over this open tuning.
• Drone and Slide: The open Emaj7 provides an excellent harmonic drone, perfect for slide guitar techniques, creating expansive and ethereal soundscapes.
• Root-Based Chords: While it's an Emaj7, the strong presence of E and G# allows for easy formation of E major, E6, or even E minor chords (by flattening the G# on strings 5 and 2) with minimal finger adjustments, offering surprising versatility.

Open String Notes

When tuned to Open Emaj7, your guitar strings will sound the following notes:

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5 (A): G3#
• String 4 (D): B2
• String 3 (G): E3
• String 2 (B): G4#
• String 1 (High E): D5#

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

Follow these steps to adjust your guitar from standard E2 A3 D3 G3 B3 E4 tuning to Open Emaj7. The semitone movements are relative to standard tuning.

• String 6 (E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 1 semitone. Adjust from A3 to G#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones. Adjust from D3 to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones. Adjust from G3 to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones. Adjust from B3 to G#3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone. Adjust from E4 to D#4.

Important Tuning Discrepancy Note: Please be aware that while the tuning instructions derived from the 'string_movements' data for String 2 and String 1 indicate tuning down from standard pitches (B3 to G#3 and E4 to D#4 respectively), the final 'Open String Notes' for these strings are listed as G4# and D5#, which are an octave higher. To achieve these higher pitches (G4# and D5#) on your instrument, it is crucial to ensure you have a guitar set up for such high tunings, potentially with lighter gauge strings or an instrument specifically designed for higher registers. Tuning standard strings down to G#3 and D#4 will not result in G4# and D5#.

General String Tension Advice: The described string movements (maximum 3 semitones down) are generally safe for standard string gauges as they reduce tension. No individual movement exceeds +/- 4 semitones, so standard string gauges are usually appropriate for these relative changes. However, if you are attempting to reach the specified G4# and D5# pitches for strings 2 and 1 as per the 'Open String Notes', exercise extreme caution. Tuning strings up an octave from their typical range can lead to excessive tension, string breakage, or even damage to your guitar's neck or bridge. Professional advice or a specialized guitar setup is highly recommended in such cases.