This is an open G7 tuning, an exciting and versatile setup for guitarists looking to explore blues, rock, country, and funk genres. The open strings immediately form a G dominant seventh chord (G-B-D-F-B-D), meaning you can strum all six open strings to produce a rich G7 sound. This configuration makes playing 7th chords across the neck incredibly intuitive, often requiring just a single finger or bar. It's fantastic for slide guitar, allowing for full 7th chords to be played with ease across the fretboard. The arrangement of notes also lends itself well to rhythmic patterns and drone notes, especially with the repeated B and D notes on the higher strings. Moving this open chord shape up and down the neck with a slide or bar will readily yield other dominant seventh chords, making transposition straightforward.

How to Tune

To achieve this tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps with caution, especially when tuning strings up. For changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is advisable for optimal tension and string life.

• Low E String (String 6): Tune up 3 semitones to G2. (Note: Tuning up 3 semitones from E requires care; monitor string tension.)
• A String (String 5): Tune up 2 semitones to B2. (Note: Tuning up 2 semitones from A requires care.)
• D String (String 4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• G String (String 3): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• B String (String 2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at B3.
• High E String (String 1): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.