This tuning, aptly named "Open F minor 7th," carries a rich and evocative sound, as described by its creator's friend: "My good buddy Greg showed me it, and I liked the sound. He said he created it himself, 'Silly goose', I thought. But I didn't see it anywhere else, so maybe he did." It offers a distinct voice perfect for genres like jazz, blues, or any style requiring a melancholic yet sophisticated harmonic foundation.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F2, G#3, C3, G#4, C4, D#5. Analyzing these notes reveals the precise structure of an F minor 7th chord (F - Ab - C - Eb), with the G# and D# acting as enharmonic equivalents of Ab and Eb, respectively. The tuning features a doubled minor third (G#) and a doubled perfect fifth (C), which provides a full, resonant open voicing. This setup immediately grants the player an F minor 7th chord simply by strumming all open strings, making it an excellent base for improvisation and songwriting in the key of F minor.

Chordal Possibilities

The beauty of this open tuning lies in its immediate harmonic gratification. Strumming all strings yields a lush F minor 7th. By barring all strings at any fret, you can easily transpose this minor 7th chord across the fretboard, accessing F#m7, Gm7, G#m7, and so on, with minimal effort. The open G#s and Cs also facilitate interesting arpeggios and melodic phrases that naturally harmonize with the root F. This tuning encourages exploration of minor keys and modes, providing a dark yet sophisticated palette for musical expression. Experiment with partial chords using the doubled notes to create unique voicings and sustain. Slide riffs and drone passages over the minor 7th harmony will sound particularly effective.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Open F minor 7th

To achieve the Open F minor 7th tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the instructions below. Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage.

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune up 1 semitone to F2.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 1 semitone to G#4.
• String 2 (B string): Tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

Important Tuning Note: While none of the adjustments for this specific tuning exceed 4 semitones, generally, if a tuning requires moving a string up or down by more than 4 semitones from its standard pitch, it is advisable to consider using a different gauge string to ensure proper tension and avoid potential string breakage or damage to your instrument.