Tuning Overview: Eight-String Open Em11

This remarkable tuning for an 8-string guitar is meticulously crafted to resonate as a full E minor 11th chord in its open position. It offers a deep, rich harmonic tapestry, making it an excellent choice for genres that demand complex voicings, such as progressive metal, jazz fusion, djent, or atmospheric soundscapes. The wide intervallic spread across the strings provides a massive, resonant foundation, perfect for creating powerful drones, expansive chords, and intricate melodic lines that take full advantage of the extended range of an 8-string instrument.

Technical Analysis: The Em11 Voicing

The open strings (from lowest to highest) are G1, B1, E2, B2, D3, F#4, A3, E4. When analyzed, these notes precisely form an E minor 11th chord (E-G-B-D-F#-A):

• E (Root): Provided by the 6th (E2) and 1st (E4) strings, establishing a clear tonal center.
• G (Minor 3rd): Present on the lowest 8th string (G1), giving the chord its minor quality and a deep, foundational growl.
• B (Perfect 5th): Found on the 7th (B1) and 5th (B2) strings, reinforcing the core E minor triad.
• D (Minor 7th): On the 4th string (D3), introducing the characteristic dominant quality of the 7th.
• F# (Major 9th): Located on the 3rd string (F#4), adding brightness and tension as the extended major 9th.
• A (Perfect 11th): On the 2nd string (A3), completing the full 11th chord harmony.

This arrangement features deliberate octave voicings on E (E2 and E4) and B (B1 and B2), which contribute to the immense thickness and resonance when all strings are strummed open. The intervallic spacing is well-balanced, providing both depth and clarity across the wide range of the 8-string guitar.

Chordal Possibilities and Fingerboard Shapes

• Open Em11: Strumming all open strings immediately yields a rich, full E minor 11th chord.
• Barre Chords: Applying a full barre across any fret will naturally produce variations of Em11, Em9, Em7, or Em chords, transposed chromatically, allowing for easy exploration of the key.
• Power Chords & Drones: The B1-E2-B2 sequence on strings 7, 6, 5 provides a powerful base for creating resonant power chords and drone effects centered around E and B, easily accessible with minimal finger movement.
• D Major Triad: The D3-F#4-A3 on strings 4, 3, 2 forms a D major triad. This is particularly interesting as D is the minor 7th of E, and a D major triad (D-F#-A) functions as the V7/9/11 chord within the E minor context, opening up possibilities for dominant-sounding phrases and arpeggios that resolve into the E minor harmony.
• Melodic Potential: The higher strings (F#4, A3, E4) are well-suited for melodic leads, arpeggiated figures, and showcasing the extended harmonies (9th and 11th) within the E minor framework.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Eight-String Open Em11 tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string, starting from the lowest (8th) string. The instructions indicate the movement required to reach the target note:

• 8th String: Tune up 1 semitone to G1.
• 7th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B1.
• 6th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• 5th String: Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• 4th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• 3rd String: Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String: Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Note on String Gauges: The string movements in this tuning are relatively minor (within +/- 2 semitones). For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and avoid potential string breakage or intonation issues. For this specific tuning, standard gauges should generally be acceptable, but always tune carefully and gradually.

String 8: G1

String 7: B1

String 6: E2

String 5: B2

String 4: D3

String 3: F#4

String 2: A3

String 1: E4