This tuning gives a G suspended fourth chord with added seventh on the lowest string.

Verbal Analysis

The Open G7sus4 tuning creates a rich, full, and slightly dissonant sound, characteristic of suspended chords with a dominant seventh. It offers a bluesy, soulful, and somewhat open-ended feel, making it ideal for slide guitar, ambient soundscapes, or compositions requiring a sound that hangs in the air, hinting at resolution without fully committing. The prominent Gsus4 harmony provides a stable yet spacious foundation, while the F on the lowest string (the b7 of G) adds tension and a strong dominant pull. This tuning invites exploration beyond standard chord shapes, encouraging melodic playing and drone-like textures.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning are F2, G2, D3, G3, C4, D4 (from lowest to highest string). These notes collectively form a G7sus4 chord (G - root, D - perfect fifth, C - suspended fourth, F - minor seventh). The open intervals are:

• String 6 (F2) to String 5 (G2): Major 2nd (whole step)
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (C4): Perfect 4th
• String 2 (C4) to String 1 (D4): Major 2nd (whole step)

This tuning naturally provides the G7sus4 chord without any fretting, making it an excellent base for slide playing. Barring all strings at any fret will produce another 7sus4 chord (e.g., barring at the 5th fret creates C7sus4: C, F, G, C, E, F - wait, no, it follows the intervals, so G7sus4 barred at 5th fret yields C, D, G, C, F, G, which is indeed C7sus4 with an added D). The repeating G on the 5th and 3rd strings, and D on the 4th and 1st strings provide strong unison and octave points. The P4 intervals between strings 4-3 and 3-2 are reminiscent of standard tuning, allowing for familiar chord fragments and scale shapes to be adapted. Open, ringing voicings with the G7sus4 harmony are readily available, and by shifting a single finger, one can often resolve the suspension or alter the dominant quality to create rich harmonic movement.

How to Tune

To achieve the Open G7sus4 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps for each string (from lowest to highest):

• String 6 (Low E to F2): Tune up 1 semitone. (Original note: E2. New note: F2)
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones. (Original note: A2. New note: G2)
• String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). (Original note: D3. New note: D3)
• String 3 (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). (Original note: G3. New note: G3)
• String 2 (B to C4): Tune up 1 semitone. (Original note: B3. New note: C4)
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones. (Original note: E4. New note: D4)

Important Note: When tuning, always exercise caution, especially when tuning strings up. If any string requires tuning up by more than 4 semitones or down by more than 4 semitones from its standard pitch, it is strongly advised to consider using a different gauge string to avoid excessive tension or slack, which could potentially damage your guitar or affect playability.

String 6 (Low E to F2): The lowest E string is tuned up 1 semitone to F2, providing the dominant seventh (b7) of the G7sus4 chord. This establishes the dominant harmony from the bass.

String 5 (A to G2): The A string is tuned down 2 semitones to G2, serving as the root of the G7sus4 chord and forming the fundamental bass note in conjunction with the F2.

String 4 (D to D3): The D string remains at its standard pitch, D3, functioning as the perfect fifth of G and providing stability to the chord.

String 3 (G to G3): The G string remains at its standard pitch, G3, reinforcing the root of the chord and creating an octave with the 5th string's G2.

String 2 (B to C4): The B string is tuned up 1 semitone to C4, creating the suspended fourth interval of the G7sus4 chord. This C note is crucial for the suspended quality.

String 1 (High E to D4): The highest E string is tuned down 2 semitones to D4, completing the chord with another perfect fifth (D) and providing a bright top voice.