Tuning Description: Deep Gsus2 Drone

This intriguing 7-string guitar tuning, originally conceived as a DADGAD alternative, offers a rich and resonant sonic landscape. Named "Deep Gsus2 Drone," it emphasizes the notes G, A, and D across its seven strings, creating a powerful Gsus2 chord voicing (G-D-A) that is both full and harmonically open.

Verbal Analysis

The "Deep Gsus2 Drone" tuning is characterized by its deep, resonant quality, thanks to the exceptionally low G1 on the seventh string. The open strings ring out a Gsus2 chord (G, A, D) in various octaves, providing a rich, shimmering drone effect. This makes it ideal for genres requiring expansive soundscapes, such as Celtic folk, ambient music, or even progressive rock and metal where heavy, open voicings are desired. The layout naturally lends itself to melodic playing over a sustained harmonic bed. Its design encourages creative exploration, making it easy to find compelling melodies and harmonies without complex fingerings, especially in the keys of G major, D major, and A minor.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: G1 - D2 - A2 - D3 - G3 - A3 - D4 (from low to high).
• Harmonic Structure: The open tuning resolves to a Gsus2 chord (G, A, D) across all seven strings, featuring repeating 5ths (G-D, D-A) in the lower register, followed by 4ths (A-D, D-G, A-D) and a single whole step (G-A) higher up. This creates a strong tonal center with a beautiful, suspended quality.
• Intervals (low to high):
  • 7th (G1) to 6th (D2): Perfect 5th
  • 6th (D2) to 5th (A2): Perfect 5th
  • 5th (A2) to 4th (D3): Perfect 4th
  • 4th (D3) to 3rd (G3): Perfect 4th
  • 3rd (G3) to 2nd (A3): Major 2nd (Whole Step)
  • 2nd (A3) to 1st (D4): Perfect 4th
• Chordal Accessibility:

  The open strings themselves form a rich Gsus2 chord. By simply barring a single fret, you can achieve various suspended chords, for example:

  • Open: Gsus2 (G-D-A-D-G-A-D)
  • Barred 2nd Fret: Asus2 (A-E-B-E-A-B-E)
  • Barred 5th Fret: Dsus2 (D-A-E-A-D-E-A)

  Power chords (root-5th) are exceptionally easy to form on any two adjacent strings that are a perfect fifth apart (e.g., strings 7-6, 6-5). With minor adjustments, full major and minor chords in the G, D, and A families become readily available, leveraging the drone-like quality of the open strings.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Deep Gsus2 Drone" tuning from a standard 7-string tuning (typically B-E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these adjustments:

• 7th String (Low G): Tune down 4 semitones to G1. (Note: A significant drop. Consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.)
• 6th String (Low D): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• 2nd String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High D): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings significantly (especially more than 4 semitones up or down), it is highly recommended to consider using a different gauge string optimized for the new tension. The 7th string (Low G) in this tuning involves a 4-semitone drop, which might result in loose tension and intonation issues with a standard gauge string. A heavier gauge string is advised for this particular string to maintain playability and tone.

7th String: G1 (Lowest string)

6th String: D2

5th String: A2

4th String: D3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: A3

1st String: D4 (Highest string)