Welcome to the D minor 7 tuning for an 8-string guitar. This is a remarkably rich and evocative open tuning designed to instantly provide a full D minor 7 chord simply by strumming the open strings. It creates a deep, resonant, and often melancholic sound, perfect for genres requiring a heavy, atmospheric foundation such as doom metal, progressive metal, jazz fusion, or ambient soundscapes. The wide range of an 8-string guitar combined with this tuning allows for powerful low-end riffs and complex harmonic textures.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F1, A1, C2, A2, D3, F3, A3, D4. When played together, these notes comprehensively spell out a D minor 7 chord across multiple octaves (D - F - A - C).

• The foundational notes D, F, A, C are strategically placed across the fretboard, providing a massive, full-bodied Dm7 voicing when strummed.
• The intervals between adjacent strings are varied, creating interesting harmonic possibilities:
• String 8 (F1) to String 7 (A1): Major 3rd
• String 7 (A1) to String 6 (C2): Minor 3rd
• String 6 (C2) to String 5 (A2): Major 6th (an octave jump on the A note)
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 4th
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (F3): Minor 3rd
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (A3): Major 3rd
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect 4th
• The repeating A notes (A1, A2, A3) and F notes (F1, F3) across the low and middle registers offer rich harmonic sustain and drone possibilities.

This tuning facilitates easy open chord voicings beyond the Dm7. By barring a single fret, you can effortlessly transpose the Dm7 shape to other minor 7 chords (e.g., barring at the 1st fret yields D#m7, 3rd fret Fm7, etc.), making it highly versatile for rhythmic accompaniment. The relatively consistent P4-m3-M3-P4 pattern on the higher strings (A2-D3-F3-A3-D4) makes scale and arpeggio shapes intuitive once the initial open Dm7 is mastered.

How to Tune

To achieve the D minor 7 tuning from a common 8-string standard tuning (F#1-B1-E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these adjustments:

• String 8 (Low F#): Tune this string down 1 semitone to F1.
• String 7 (Low B): Tune this string down 2 semitones to A1.
• String 6 (E): Tune this string down 4 semitones to C2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone if this tuning is to be permanent.)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune this string down 2 semitones to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune this string down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune this string down 2 semitones to D4.

Always tune carefully and check string tension, especially with larger movements.