This unique 7-string guitar tuning, aptly described in its original context as a "DADGAD dropped half a step with a low F#," delivers a deeply resonant and atmospheric sound. It evokes a sense of vastness and mystery, making it particularly well-suited for ambient soundscapes, drone music, progressive rock, or any genre seeking a rich, layered harmonic foundation. The overall character is melancholic yet open, providing a wide canvas for creative expression. Its deep, sustaining quality can fill a room, inviting exploration into modal melodies and complex harmonic textures.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned from low to high (7th to 1st string) as follows: F#2, C#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, G#4, C#5. These notes collectively form an F#sus2 chord (F#, C#, G#). While the tuning was originally named "Open F# Minor Major 9th" (which would typically imply F#-A-C#-E#-G#), the direct open string voicing emphasizes the root, fifth, and major ninth, creating a powerful suspension rather than a full minor major 9th chord. This structure, by omitting the explicit minor third, offers significant harmonic ambiguity and flexibility.

The interval structure is noteworthy across the strings: a perfect fifth between strings 7-6 (F#2 to C#3), a perfect fourth between 6-5 (C#3 to G#3, when reading G# as the upper note from C#), a perfect fifth between 5-4 (G#3 to C#4), a perfect fourth between 4-3 (C#4 to F#4), a major second between 3-2 (F#4 to G#4), and a perfect fourth between 2-1 (G#4 to C#5). The recurring F# and C# notes across multiple octaves provide a strong tonal center and excellent drone potential, creating a rich, layered sound when strummed openly or arpeggiated.

Chords and Playability

• Open Chords: The open strings themselves present a majestic F#sus2 chord, which can feel both unresolved and deeply resonant. This makes it perfect for sustained textures, introspective passages, and building atmospheric soundscapes without complex fretting.
• Accessible Chords: The consistent intervals and repeating notes make power chords (F#5, C#5, G#5) easily accessible across the lower strings with minimal fretting, ideal for heavy riffs. Barre chords at any fret will immediately yield various F#sus2-derived voicings, allowing for quick harmonic shifts.
• The design also facilitates relatively easy movement between F#m and F#maj chords by simply adding the A (minor third) or A# (major third) on the appropriate string, often by fretting a single note. The drone-like qualities of the low F# and repeating C# notes on higher strings make this tuning exceptionally suitable for fingerstyle patterns that emphasize open string resonance and melodic overlays.
• The 'DADGAD' inspiration, even with the half-step drop and low F#, suggests that finger-friendly voicings and modal playing styles will translate well, allowing for expressive melodic lines over a stable harmonic foundation.

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments from standard 7-string tuning (typically B-E-A-D-G-B-E). Please proceed with caution, especially with larger drops, and always consider using appropriate string gauges to maintain optimal tension, intonation, and tone.

• String 7 (Low String): Tune down 5 semitones to F#2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string (e.g., .064 or thicker) is strongly advised to maintain optimal tension, intonation, and tone, and to prevent potential string damage or poor playability.
• String 6: Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
• String 5: Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• String 4: Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2: Tune down 3 semitones to G#4.
• String 1 (High String): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.