The Open D7#11 Tuning transforms your guitar into a versatile harmonic landscape, perfect for exploring complex jazz, fusion, and experimental soundscapes. Instead of a typical major or minor open chord, this tuning presents a rich, dominant 7th chord with advanced extensions, immediately suggesting sophisticated harmonies and unique melodic possibilities.

Verbal Analysis

With open strings ringing out an implied D7#11 (D-F#-A-C-E-G#), this tuning offers an exceptionally full and resonant sound. The lower register provides a strong foundation with the F#3 and D3, while the upper strings, particularly the high G#5, sparkle with an almost piano-like brilliance. The inherent tension and release of the dominant 7th with an augmented 11th (G# in the context of D) invites creative voicings and a departure from standard chord shapes. Strumming all open strings yields a lush, expansive sound that can underpin improvisations or serve as a unique textural element. It's a tuning that encourages pushing boundaries and discovering fresh sonic territories, moving beyond the traditional guitar voicings.

Technical Analysis

The open notes of this tuning are from low to high: F#3, D3, A3, C4, E4, G#5. Arranged as a chord with D as the root, these notes form a D7#11 chord (D - F# - A - C - E - G#).

• String Intervals (from low to high):
• 6th String (F#3) to 5th String (D3): Minor 3rd Down (or Major 6th Up)
• 5th String (D3) to 4th String (A3): Perfect 5th Up
• 4th String (A3) to 3rd String (C4): Minor 3rd Up
• 3rd String (C4) to 2nd String (E4): Major 3rd Up
• 2nd String (E4) to 1st String (G#5): Major 3rd Up + Octave (a very wide interval of 15 semitones)

This unconventional spacing, particularly the large jump between the 2nd and 1st strings, creates distinct harmonic possibilities and a bright, expansive top end.

Chordal Opportunities:

• The open strings themselves form a D7#11, which can be easily transposed by barring across the fretboard. For instance, a bar at the 1st fret would yield an Eb7#11.
• Various voicings of D minor, D major, and D7 chords, as well as their extensions (9ths, 13ths), will be readily available by manipulating a few fingers around the open D7#11.
• The inherent intervallic structure encourages the exploration of scale fragments and arpeggios that highlight the dominant 7th sound with altered extensions, providing a fresh take on melodic improvisation.
• Open string drones can be effectively used against fretted notes to create rich, sustained harmonies, especially with the resonant D and F# in the bass.

How to Tune to Open D7#11

This tuning involves significant adjustments, primarily tuning strings upwards. Please exercise caution, especially with strings requiring more than 4 semitones of adjustment, as this may necessitate a change to a lighter gauge string set to prevent breakage and excessive tension. Always tune slowly and carefully.

• 6th String: Tune up 2 semitones to F#3.
• 5th String: Tune up 5 semitones to D3. Caution: More than 4 semitones up. Consider lighter gauge.
• 4th String: Tune up 7 semitones to A3. Caution: More than 4 semitones up. Consider lighter gauge.
• 3rd String: Tune up 5 semitones to C4. Caution: More than 4 semitones up. Consider lighter gauge.
• 2nd String: Tune up 5 semitones to E4. Caution: More than 4 semitones up. Consider lighter gauge.
• 1st String: Tune up 4 semitones to G#5.