Tuning Overview: Open G Minor 9

The "Open G Minor 9 Tuning" is a rich and evocative setup for your guitar, immediately delivering a sophisticated minor ninth chord when strummed open. This tuning truly lives up to its name, creating a lush, somewhat melancholic, yet undeniably full sound that is perfect for genres like jazz, blues, or any style seeking a darker, more complex harmonic landscape. As noted by the original description, it possesses a "lovely" and "rich" quality.

Technical Analysis:

• Open Chord: The open strings (G1-D2-A#3-D3-F3-A3) collectively form a G minor 9 chord (G-Bb-D-F-A). This means you get a full, harmonically complete chord with a single strum, opening up unique possibilities for drone playing and instant melodic accompaniment.
• Interval Structure: From the low G root, the intervals are: Perfect 5th (D), minor 3rd (A# or Bb), Perfect 5th (D - octave), minor 7th (F), and Major 9th (A). This precise arrangement is what gives the tuning its characteristic minor ninth flavor.
• Simplified Chord Voicings:
  • Barre Chords: By simply barring all strings at any fret, you can easily transpose the G minor 9 chord up or down the neck. For example, a barre at the 2nd fret would yield an A minor 9 chord, and at the 3rd fret, a Bb minor 9.
  • Partial Chords: Interesting voicings can be found by strumming subsets of strings. For instance, strings 5 through 2 (D-A#-D-F) create a D minor 7 chord. Strings 3 through 1 (A#-D-F) imply further harmonic potential, including a Bb major triad (Bb D F) if you exclude the high A.
  • Drone Opportunities: The low G and D, combined with the other resonant notes, allow for powerful drone effects, especially useful in blues and folk styles.
• Considerations for String Gauge: It's crucial to note that all strings in this tuning are significantly lowered from standard EADGBe. Every string is tuned down 4 or more semitones. This drastic drop will result in considerably less string tension, making the guitar feel slacker and potentially prone to buzzing. For optimal playability and intonation, using a heavier gauge set of strings is strongly recommended to compensate for the reduced tension. This will help maintain tone, sustain, and playability.

Tuning Notes

When tuned, your guitar strings will sound as follows (from lowest to highest pitch):

• String 6 (Low E): G1
• String 5 (A): D2
• String 4 (D): A3#
• String 3 (G): D3
• String 2 (B): F3
• String 1 (High E): A3

How to Tune to Open G Minor 9

Starting from standard EADGBe tuning, carefully adjust each string as described below. Due to the significant changes in pitch (all strings tuned down 4 or more semitones), it is highly recommended to consider using a heavier gauge set of strings to maintain proper tension and playability.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 9 semitones to reach G1. (Original E string note: E2)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 7 semitones to reach D2. (Original A string note: A2)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones to reach A3#. (Original D string note: D3)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to reach D3. (Original G string note: G3)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 6 semitones to reach F3. (Original B string note: B3)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones to reach A3. (Original E string note: E4)