G#D#BF#G#D# Guitar Tuner

G#D#BF#G#D# | A♭E♭BG♭A♭E♭ G# Minor Seven Open - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - G# Minor Seven Open

Alternate Drop G# tuning for 6 string

The "G# Minor Seven Open" tuning, originally known as "Drop G# Alt", is an intriguing and heavy alternate tuning for a 6-string guitar. This tuning is not just about dropping the lowest string; it completely revoices the instrument to unlock a rich, dark, and harmonically complex sound, perfect for genres requiring a thick wall of sound like metal, djent, progressive rock, or experimental music.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning provides a powerful G# minor 7th chord when strummed open, giving immediate access to a brooding, heavy tonality. The lowest three strings (G#2, D#3, B2) form a G# minor triad, offering a solid foundation for riffing and chugging. The peculiar placement of B2 on the 4th string, instead of an expected F# or C#, contributes to a unique, full voicing that avoids sounding overly predictable. The higher strings mirror the root (G#4 on string 2) and fifth (D#5 on string 1) of the G# minor chord, reinforcing the open chord’s presence. This arrangement makes it incredibly easy to achieve massive, resonant chord voicings with minimal effort, and allows for creative melodic lines against a consistent harmonic backdrop.

Technical Analysis

The open notes are G#2, D#3, B2, F#4, G#4, D#5.
From 6th to 5th string (G#2 to D#3): A perfect fifth up (7 semitones).
From 5th to 4th string (D#3 to B2): A minor third down (4 semitones down). This creates a unique low-end voicing.
From 4th to 3rd string (B2 to F#4): A major tenth up (B2 to B3 is an octave, B3 to F#4 is a perfect fifth. So, a perfect fifth plus an octave, or 19 semitones). This is a large jump, moving from B2 to F#4.
From 3rd to 2nd string (F#4 to G#4): A major second up (2 semitones).
From 2nd to 1st string (G#4 to D#5): A perfect fifth up (7 semitones).
The collective open strings form a G# minor 7th chord (G# B D# F#). This provides a rich, harmonic base for playing.
The 6th string (G#2) and 2nd string (G#4) are octaves. The 5th string (D#3) and 1st string (D#5) are also octaves. This allows for interesting octave playing.

Open & Reachable Chords

G# Minor 7th: Strumming all strings open yields a full G# minor 7th chord.
G# Power Chords: Playing the 6th and 5th strings open (G#2 and D#3) gives a G#5 power chord.
G# Minor Triads: The lowest three strings (6th, 5th, 4th) open form a G# minor triad (G#2, D#3, B2). Barreing these three strings at any fret will produce minor triads.
Octave Voicings: The repeated G# and D# notes across different octaves (G#2/G#4, D#3/D#5) make it easy to play octave-rich melodies and riffs.
Root-Fifth-Octave shapes: Simple two-finger shapes can create powerful root-fifth-octave chords across various string sets due to the internal octaves and fifths.

How to Tune

Achieving this deep tuning requires significant adjustments from standard E Standard tuning. Please tune carefully, and consider using a heavier gauge of strings, especially for the lower strings, to maintain tension and tone.

6th String (Low E): Tune down to G2# (Tune down 8 semitones). Due to the significant drop of 8 semitones, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
5th String (A): Tune down to D3# (Tune down 6 semitones). This is a substantial drop of 6 semitones, making a heavier gauge string advisable for optimal performance.
4th String (D): Tune down to B2 (Tune down 3 semitones).
3rd String (G): Tune down to F4# (Tune down 1 semitones).
2nd String (B): Tune down to G4# (Tune down 3 semitones).
1st String (High E): Tune down to D5# (Tune down 1 semitones).