Tuning Analysis: Real G7

Verbal Description

The 'Real G7' tuning for the Guitar is a powerful and versatile open tuning designed to resonate with the rich harmonies of a G7 chord. Despite the provided tuning_description referencing 'A#6 tuning' as a correction for 'GGDFA#D', the tuning_notes for 'Real G7' are explicitly defined as G2 G2 D3 F3 B3 D4. These notes directly form a G7 chord (G, B, D, F), making the name 'Real G7' highly appropriate for this specific configuration. This tuning immediately presents a full, resonant G7 chord when strummed open, making it ideal for blues, folk, country, and rock where a strong dominant seventh feel is desired. Its structure also lends itself well to slide guitar, as the open chord provides a consistent harmonic foundation.

The doubled low G strings create a thick, foundational bass, while the arrangement of the other notes allows for easy melodic improvisation and the discovery of interesting chord voicings up the neck. Players can explore various musical styles, finding new sonic textures and simplifying complex chord shapes into more intuitive fingerings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning configures the guitar strings to the notes G2 G2 D3 F3 B3 D4 from low to high (String 6 to String 1). Analyzing the intervals from the root (G):

• String 6 (Low E to G2): Root (G)
• String 5 (A to G2): Root (G), unison with String 6, creating a deep, thick base.
• String 4 (D to D3): Perfect 5th (D)
• String 3 (G to F3): Minor 7th (F)
• String 2 (B to B3): Major 3rd (B)
• String 1 (High E to D4): Perfect 5th (D)

When strummed open, these notes collectively form a G7 chord in the voicing G2-G2-D3-F3-B3-D4. This open chord shape is particularly useful for slide guitar or for creating drone effects. Due to the inherent G7 chord, many common blues and rock progressions become simplified. For example, moving a single finger or bar up two frets would yield an A7, and up five frets a D7, allowing for easy transitions between dominant seventh chords, particularly useful for a I-IV-V progression in the key of G.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Real G7

To achieve the 'Real G7' tuning, you will adjust your standard EADGBe tuned guitar as follows:

• String 6 (Low E to G2): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauge: All string movements in this tuning are within 4 semitones (up or down). This means you should be able to use your standard string gauges without issues. For tunings requiring movements greater than 4 semitones in either direction, a different string gauge is generally advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage.

String 6: G2 (The lowest G, two octaves below middle C, tuned up from standard E2)

String 5: G2 (Unison with String 6, providing a very full low end, tuned down from standard A2)

String 4: D3 (The D one octave below middle C, remains at standard D3)

String 3: F3 (The F below middle C, tuned down from standard G3)

String 2: B3 (The B below middle C, remains at standard B3)

String 1: D4 (The D above middle C, tuned down from standard E4)