Welcome to the in-depth analysis of the G Major 7#11 Tuning, a vibrant and harmonically rich setup for your guitar. This unique tuning, derived from the standard EADGBe, transforms your instrument into a lush sonic landscape, perfect for exploring jazz, fusion, ambient, and highly melodic styles. As indicated by the inspiration found here, this tuning is designed to open up new harmonic possibilities and make complex chords readily available.

Technical Analysis:

The G Major 7#11 Tuning sets the open strings to G2 - B2 - D3 - F#3 - A3 - C#4 (from low E to high E string). Analysing these notes in relation to a G root, we find the following intervals:

• Low G (Root)
• B (Major 3rd)
• D (Perfect 5th)
• F# (Major 7th)
• A (Major 9th)
• C# (Augmented 4th / Sharp 11th)

This arrangement creates an open G Major 7#11 chord, offering an exceptionally full and resonant sound simply by strumming all open strings. The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly interesting: M3-m3-M3-m3-M3. This consistent pattern of major and minor thirds creates a harmonic playground, allowing for easily transposed chord shapes and arpeggios across the fretboard.

Chords and Playability:

With the G Major 7#11 Tuning, several chords become effortlessly accessible:

• G Major 7#11 (Open): Strumming all six open strings yields a rich Gmaj7#11 chord, providing a beautiful, expansive harmonic foundation.
• G Major / G Major 7 (Open): By focusing on the lower strings (G2-B2-D3 or G2-B2-D3-F#3), you can easily play a G Major triad or a G Major 7th chord.
• D Major (Open): The open strings D3, F#3, and A3 (strings 4, 3, and 2) form a clear D Major triad, perfect for quickly shifting tonal centers or creating suspensions.
• B Minor (Open): The combination of B2, D3, and F#3 (strings 5, 4, and 3) provides an open B minor triad, adding a touch of melancholic color.
• Easily Accessible Shapes: The M3-m3-M3-m3-M3 pattern between strings means that many chord voicings can be moved around the neck while retaining their relative intervals. For example, a single finger barre across strings 4, 3, and 2 at the 2nd fret yields an E Major chord (E-G#-B). Similarly, barring across strings 5, 4, and 3 at the 2nd fret gives a C# minor triad (C#-E-G#).

This tuning encourages a more melodic and arpeggiated approach to playing, with rich harmonic possibilities arising from even simple fingerings. It's an excellent choice for players looking to break free from standard tuning voicings and discover new sonic textures.

How to Tune to G Major 7#11:

To achieve the G Major 7#11 Tuning, you will adjust your guitar from standard EADGBe tuning. Please be mindful of string tension, especially when tuning strings up. It is always recommended to use a reliable digital tuner for accuracy.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones from E2 to G2. Please exercise care when tuning this string up, as it involves a significant tension increase.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G3 to F#3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E4 to C#4. Be cautious when tuning this string down, ensuring it remains taut enough to avoid buzzing.

Note on String Gauges: For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is generally advised to ensure optimal playability and string longevity. For this tuning, the 6th and 1st strings are adjusted by 3 semitones, which is close to this threshold. While typically manageable on standard gauges, listen to your guitar and consider lighter or heavier strings if you notice excessive tension/slack or intonation issues.

Resulting Open String Notes:

• 6th String: G2
• 5th String: B2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: F#3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: C#4