This unique tuning, aptly named Bmaj9/F#, transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape, primarily centered around a rich B Major 9th chord with a prominent F# bass note. It's a sophisticated and "pretty neat" tuning as described, offering a lush, open sound perfect for jazz, ambient, fingerstyle, and progressive musical explorations.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F#3, B2, D#4, A#4, C#5, D#5. Analyzing these notes reveals a clear Bmaj9 chord (B, D#, F#, A#, C#) with the F# as the lowest note. This creates a powerful Bmaj9/F# voicing, giving it a strong, yet ethereal quality. The lowest two strings form a perfect fifth (F# to B), providing a stable foundation.

• Intervals: The intervals between the open strings are particularly interesting. From the 5th string (B) upwards, we have a Major 3rd (B to D#), an Augmented 4th (D# to A#), a Major 2nd (A# to C#), and another Major 2nd (C# to D#). These wider and less common intervals compared to standard tuning will lead to fresh chord voicings and melodic possibilities.
• Open Chord: The open tuning itself rings out as a beautiful Bmaj9/F# chord. This means you have instant access to a complex, harmonically rich sound simply by strumming all open strings.
• Reachable Chords: While traditional chord shapes will need significant adaptation, this tuning encourages new approaches. Barring across frets will likely yield various maj9 chords or altered dominant voicings. The presence of two D# notes (strings 4 and 1) emphasizes the major third, making it easier to outline major tonalities. The unique intervals will invite exploration of suspended chords, open voicings, and exotic arpeggios, particularly well-suited for slide guitar or fingerpicking to highlight the ringing quality of the Bmaj9 harmony.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Bmaj9/F# tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note that several strings are tuned up, with one string tuned up by 3 semitones. While this is generally manageable, always exercise caution when tuning up strings significantly, as excessive tension can damage your guitar or strings.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E to F#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A to B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone from D to D#4.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 3 semitones from G to A#4. Exercise caution with this string movement.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 2 semitones from B to C#5.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone from E to D#5.

Here are the notes for each string in the Bmaj9/F# tuning:

• String 6 (lowest): F#3
• String 5: B2
• String 4: D#4
• String 3: A#4
• String 2: C#5
• String 1 (highest): D#5