This B9 Tuning is a highly resonant and harmonically rich open tuning, particularly well-suited for intricate arpeggios and expansive chordal textures. As noted in its description, it's reportedly ideal for playing pieces by artists like Joanna Newsom, specifically mentioned for "Bridges and Balloons," suggesting its utility for a more complex, harp-like guitar approach.

Verbal Analysis:

The immediate impression of this tuning is one of depth and lushness. Strumming the open strings will yield a full, jazz-influenced B Dominant 9th chord, creating an instant sophisticated harmony. This makes it a fantastic canvas for exploring extended chords, arpeggiated melodies, and droning textures that resonate beautifully. The multiple F# notes add a strong, resonant fifth, while the low A and high D# and C# provide both grounding and sparkling extensions. It invites a fingerstyle approach to fully appreciate the interplay of the notes, but can also serve as a powerful backdrop for strummed rhythms, offering a unique sonic signature that breaks away from standard guitar conventions.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings of this tuning are meticulously arranged to form a complete B Dominant 9th chord (B, D#, F#, A, C#) with octave doublings across the register of the guitar. The specific notes are:

• String 6 (Low E string becomes): F#3 (The Perfect 5th of B, providing a strong low anchor)
• String 5 (A string): A2 (The Minor 7th of B, a crucial component for the dominant chord quality)
• String 4 (D string becomes): C#4 (The Major 9th of B, adding a rich, jazzy extension)
• String 3 (G string becomes): F#4 (The Perfect 5th of B, reinforcing the root and providing an octave from string 6)
• String 2 (B string): B3 (The Root of the chord, anchoring the entire tuning)
• String 1 (High E string becomes): D#5 (The Major 3rd of B, defining the major quality of the chord)

This specific voicing allows for incredible open string resonance. The arrangement of B-D#-F#-A-C# across the strings means that fundamental chord shapes for B9 and related extensions are immediately accessible or can be achieved with minimal fretting. For example, simply barring across certain frets could yield inversions or related dominant 9th chords. Chord families that relate to B Mixolydian or B Lydian Dominant scales will find a natural home here. The tuning encourages exploration of drone notes and sustained harmonies, opening up possibilities for unique compositional textures.

Open String Notes:

String 6: F#3

String 5: A2

String 4: C#4

String 3: F#4

String 2: B3

String 1: D#5

How to Tune:

To achieve this B9 tuning, adjust your guitar strings according to the following movements from standard tuning:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones. This string will now be F#3.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string will remain A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitones. This string will now be C#4.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitones. This string will now be F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string will remain B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitones. This string will now be D#5.

Note: Always use a reliable tuner and tune carefully. Generally, for any tuning change exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), consider using a different string gauge to ensure optimal string tension and prevent damage to your instrument. For this particular tuning, the indicated semitone changes for each string are within a moderate range.