Tritones + Major Thirds: An Experimental 7-String Setup

The 'Tritones + Major Thirds' tuning for a 7-string guitar is an experimental and highly intervallic setup, designed to explore dissonance and expansive voicings. As its name suggests, it leverages the tension of tritone intervals in the lower register and the bright quality of major thirds in the upper strings, as described by its creator.

Technical Analysis

This 7-string tuning features the following open notes, from the lowest (String 7) to the highest (String 1): G1, C#3, G2, C#4, F3, A3, C#5. This arrangement creates a wide-ranging sonic palette:

• The lowest strings (7, 6, 5, 4) present a complex series of intervals: a very wide ascending tritone (G1 to C#3), followed by a surprising descending tritone (C#3 to G2), another wide ascending tritone (G2 to C#4), and then a descending minor third (C#4 to F3). This creates a highly unusual and non-linear melodic progression across the open strings, emphasizing the dissonant character of tritones as intended by the tuning's description.
• The upper strings (3, 2, 1), tuned to F3, A3, and C#5, clearly showcase ascending major third intervals: F3 to A3, and A3 to C#5 (spanning an octave). This section of the tuning distinctly forms an F Augmented (Faug) triad (F-A-C#), fulfilling the 'major thirds on top' aspect of the tuning's design.
• Overall, the tuning utilizes the unique pitch classes G, C#, F, and A. The presence of G1 and G2, alongside C#3, C#4, and C#5, offers potential for rich drone elements and octave voicings on G and C#.

Verbal Analysis & Usability

This tuning is not intended for standard chord shapes and will require a creative and exploratory approach. Its primary strength lies in its ability to generate rich, dissonant textures, and the striking clarity of the F Augmented chord on the top strings. It is an excellent choice for avant-garde compositions, experimental music, soundscaping, and exploring unique harmonic landscapes that deliberately move beyond conventional tonality.

The wide intervallic jumps and the presence of descending pitches between adjacent strings will challenge traditional fingerings and encourage guitarists to develop new ways of thinking about chord voicings and melodic lines across the fretboard.

Open Chords & Shapes

• Strumming all open strings does not yield a conventional, easily identifiable full chord. The tuning's strength lies more in its complex intervallic relationships and potential for selective voicings rather than a single, all-encompassing open chord.
• The top three strings (F3, A3, C#5) form a clear and resonant F Augmented (Faug) triad. This is a very strong and usable chord that can be highlighted for a tense, unresolved, or dreamlike quality.
• The G1 and G2 strings can be used for deep, resonant low-end drones or octave roots, providing a foundational rumble. Similarly, the C#3, C#4, and C#5 strings offer a stacked C# presence for harmonic emphasis, creating a shimmering, high-register C# drone.
• Due to the irregular structure, exploring two or three-note voicings by muting strings or utilizing partial chords will be the most effective way to navigate this tuning harmonically. Experiment with adjacent string pairs and smaller clusters to uncover unique sonorities.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Tritones + Major Thirds' tuning, you will need to adjust your 7-string guitar's strings as follows. The target note for each string is provided for accurate tuning.

• String 7 (Lowest, G1): Tune down 4 semitones. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones on your lowest string can significantly reduce string tension, leading to a slacker feel and potential intonation issues. For optimal playability and stable tuning, considering a heavier gauge string for your 7th string is highly recommended.)
• String 6 (C#3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 5 (G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (C#4): Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 3 (F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 1 (Highest, C#5): Tune down 3 semitones.

Tuning Notes Reference

• String 7 (Lowest): G1
• String 6: C#3
• String 5: G2
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: F3
• String 2: A3
• String 1 (Highest): C#5