This unique guitar tuning, aptly named Open Dm7#5, was created by an adventurous musician just two weeks ago and is already proving to be a compelling and original sound. It offers a fresh sonic landscape for guitarists looking to explore new harmonic territories, as its creator hasn't been able to find anything similar online.

Technical Analysis

The tuning's open notes are F2, A3#, D3, F3, C4, F4 (from low to high string). When strummed open, these notes collectively form a Dm7#5/F chord. Let's break down the components:

• F (string 6): The minor third of D, providing a strong bass foundation.
• A# (string 5): The augmented fifth of D (enharmonically Bb), adding a distinct tension and character.
• D (string 4): The root of the chord.
• F (string 3): Another minor third, reinforcing the tonality.
• C (string 2): The minor seventh of D, completing the dominant 7th quality.
• F (string 1): Yet another minor third, giving the chord a full, resonant top end.

This arrangement results in an inverted D minor seven sharp five chord, meaning the minor third (F) is in the bass. The presence of the augmented fifth (A# or Bb) creates a rich, often dissonant, yet captivating sound, characteristic of certain jazz, blues, or experimental genres. The multiple Fs across the strings also create a sense of harmonic resonance and depth, despite the higher octave for the A# on the 5th string.

Verbal Analysis & Chordal Possibilities

Strumming all open strings immediately gives you a complex and evocative Dm7#5/F chord. This isn't your average open tuning; it's designed to provide a specific, rich harmonic color from the get-go. The sound is simultaneously dark, mysterious, and somewhat jazzy or bluesy due to the tension created by the A# (Bb) against the D and C. It can sound lush and full, perfect for atmospheric pieces, introspective fingerstyle, or even some slide guitar work where that tension can be exploited.

The beauty of this open tuning is its immediate utility. A simple barre across all six strings at any fret will instantly give you other m7#5 chords in different keys. For example, a barre at the first fret would yield a D#m7#5/F# chord. This makes it incredibly easy to transpose the core harmony across the fretboard. Beyond simple barres, the interval relationships between the strings (e.g., a major third from string 6 to 5 (F to A#), a perfect fourth from string 5 to 4 (A# to D), a major second from 4 to 3 (D to F), a major third from 3 to 2 (F to C), and a perfect fifth from 2 to 1 (C to F)) allow for interesting melodic and chordal voicings with minimal finger movement. Experimenting with two- or three-finger chord shapes will likely uncover unique arpeggios and harmonies that are difficult to achieve in standard tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve the Open Dm7#5 tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): From standard E2, tune up 1 semitone to F2. (Movement: +1 semitone)
• String 5 (A): From standard A2, tune up 1 semitone to A3#. (Movement: +1 semitone)
• String 4 (D): From standard D3, keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3. (Movement: 0 semitones)
• String 3 (G): From standard G3, tune down 2 semitones to F3. (Movement: -2 semitones)
• String 2 (B): From standard B3, tune up 1 semitone to C4. (Movement: +1 semitone)
• String 1 (High E): From standard E4, tune up 1 semitone to F4. (Movement: +1 semitone)

All string movements described are within a safe range (less than 4 semitones up or down based on the explicit fret_text values), so your current string gauge should be suitable. However, always exercise caution when tuning strings up, especially if you have an older guitar or very light gauge strings, and ensure you use a reliable tuner for accuracy.