Tuning Overview: Open C Major 7 (G Bass)

This unique tuning, which we've named Open C Major 7 (G Bass), transforms your guitar into a resonant soundboard capable of producing rich, sophisticated harmonies with ease. Derived from the original "Weird C7" concept, this tuning centers around the notes of a C Major 7th chord (C, E, G, B), but with a compelling G note anchoring the lowest string. Strumming the open strings immediately yields a full, shimmering C Major 7th sound, creating an inviting sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis

The Open C Major 7 (G Bass) tuning offers an exceptionally lush and harmonically rich palette. It's an ideal tuning for exploring jazz, ambient, folk, or even blues styles where sophisticated chord voicings are desired without complex fingerings. The open Cmaj7 chord rings out beautifully, making it perfect for fingerstyle arrangements, arpeggios, and slide guitar. The strategic placement of two Gs and two Es across different octaves within the tuning adds incredible depth and sustain to the overall sound, giving it a 'chimey' or 'dreamy' quality. This tuning encourages a creative approach, allowing players to focus more on melody and texture rather than wrestling with difficult chord shapes, as many common chord forms will be dramatically altered or simplified.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is configured for a standard 6-string guitar. The open strings resolve to the notes G2-C3-E3-G3-B3-E4 (from low E to high E string). Analytically, these notes collectively form a C Major 7th chord (C-E-G-B) with an added low G bass note, two Es, and two Gs. The interval structure from low to high is: Perfect 4th (G-C), Major 3rd (C-E), Minor 3rd (E-G), Major 3rd (G-B), and Perfect 4th (B-E). This specific arrangement provides a strong tonal foundation and allows for easy exploration of melodic ideas within the C Major 7th harmony. Due to the significant changes from standard tuning, exploring chord shapes will require some experimentation, but many triad and seventh chords become easily accessible with minimal finger movement.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Open C Major 7 (G Bass) tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, carefully adjust each string according to the instructions below:

• Low E String (6th String): Tune up 3 semitones to G2. Please exercise caution when tuning up 3 semitones; this increases string tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), a different string gauge is generally advised to ensure optimal playability and string longevity.
• A String (5th String): Tune up 3 semitones to C3. Similar caution applies; carefully adjust tension.
• D String (4th String): Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• G String (3rd String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• B String (2nd String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• High E String (1st String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Always tune slowly and check your intonation after making significant adjustments.

Here are the specific notes for each string in the Open C Major 7 (G Bass) tuning, from the thickest (6th) string to the thinnest (1st) string:

• 6th String: G2
• 5th String: C3
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: B3
• 1st String: E4