Extended Range Guitar Tuning: B-B Approach

So, you're diving into the world of extended range guitars, huh? That's awesome! These instruments, with their 7 or 8 strings (or even more!), open up a whole new universe of sonic possibilities. But with that extra range comes the crucial question: how do you tune these beasts? Figuring out the best tuning for your extended range guitar is essential for unlocking its full potential and achieving the sound you're after. In this article, we'll discuss a unique tuning approach—treating a 7-string guitar as a B-B instrument with a high E—and explore its pros, cons, and how it stacks up against other popular tuning methods. If you're experimenting with 7 and 8-string guitars, understanding different tuning approaches is paramount. The tuning you choose dramatically impacts the chords you can play, the riffs you can create, and the overall sonic landscape you can explore. Think of it this way: tuning is the foundation upon which your musical house is built. A solid foundation (a well-chosen tuning) will allow you to construct a sturdy and inspiring musical structure. A shaky foundation (a poorly chosen tuning) can lead to frustration and limit your creative possibilities. So, let's dive in and explore the fascinating world of extended range guitar tunings, particularly this intriguing B-B with high E concept! We'll explore the theory behind it, practical considerations, and how it might just be the key to unlocking your extended range guitar's true potential. Whether you're a seasoned 7 or 8-string player or just starting your journey, this discussion will provide valuable insights into the art of tuning for extended range instruments. Let's get started and unleash the sonic possibilities!

The B-B Approach: What's the Idea?

Okay, so the core idea here is to tune a 7-string guitar as if it were spanning the range from B to B, but with a high E string tacked on at the top. This means you'd essentially have a low B string, then the standard guitar tuning (E, A, D, G, B), and then that high E. It’s like taking the standard six-string tuning and adding a low B below the low E and keeping the high E above the high E. This concept sparks some interesting questions. Why would you approach tuning an extended range guitar this way? What advantages could this tuning offer over more traditional approaches like standard B tuning or other alternate tunings? To fully grasp this concept, let's break it down further. Imagine your standard 6-string guitar tuning: E, A, D, G, B, E. Now, picture adding a 7th string below the low E. The most common approach is to tune that 7th string to B, creating standard B tuning (B, E, A, D, G, B, E). This gives you a lower range for heavier riffs and extended bass lines. However, the B-B approach with a high E takes a slightly different tack. Instead of simply adding a low B, it aims to create a symmetrical range around the standard guitar tuning, extending both downwards and upwards. The goal is to maintain the familiar feel of the standard tuning in the middle while expanding the tonal possibilities at both ends of the spectrum. By keeping the standard tuning intact, this approach potentially allows guitarists to transition more easily from 6-string playing to 7-string playing. The familiar chord shapes and scale patterns remain largely the same, but you gain the added low B for extra depth and the high E for shimmering melodies and unique chord voicings. But before we get too carried away with the potential benefits, it's essential to consider the practical implications. Will this tuning work well across different musical styles? Are there any challenges in terms of string gauge and tension? How does it compare to other popular extended range tunings in terms of playability and sonic versatility? These are the questions we need to explore to determine if the B-B approach with a high E is a viable and effective option for extended range guitarists.

Potential Advantages of This Tuning

So, let’s delve into the potential benefits of tuning your 7-string guitar to B-B with a high E. This approach, while not as common as standard B tuning, presents some unique advantages that might make it the perfect fit for certain players and musical styles. One of the most appealing aspects is the extended tonal range. Having a low B string opens up those deep, guttural tones that are essential for metal, djent, and other heavy genres. You can create powerful, chugging riffs and bass-heavy lines that will add serious weight to your music. Simultaneously, the high E string allows for bright, shimmering melodies and chord voicings that can cut through the mix. This combination of low-end rumble and high-end sparkle creates a very wide sonic palette to work with. Another key advantage is the familiarity factor. For guitarists who are used to standard tuning on a 6-string, the B-B with high E approach maintains a significant portion of that familiar feel. The E, A, D, G, and B strings are all tuned the same as on a standard guitar, meaning your usual chord shapes, scales, and playing techniques will still apply. This can make the transition to a 7-string much smoother and less daunting than jumping straight into a completely different tuning. You’ll be able to start playing familiar riffs and licks right away while gradually incorporating the new low B and high E strings into your playing. This can be a huge confidence booster and help you integrate the 7-string into your musical vocabulary more quickly. Furthermore, the unique chord voicings this tuning allows are a major draw. The combination of the low B and the high E creates interesting possibilities for inversions and extended chords that aren’t easily achievable in standard tuning or even standard B tuning. You can create lush, complex harmonies and voicings that add a unique flavor to your music. Think about the possibilities of adding a low B to a major chord while simultaneously ringing out a high E. The resulting sound can be both powerful and ethereal, adding depth and texture to your compositions. Finally, this tuning can inspire new creative avenues. The unique combination of low and high notes might push you to explore different musical styles or approaches that you wouldn’t have considered before. The extended range can lead to writing riffs that are both heavier and more melodic, or crafting chord progressions that are both grounded and soaring. Ultimately, the potential benefits of the B-B with high E tuning come down to its ability to blend familiar playability with expanded sonic possibilities. It's a tuning that invites experimentation and can lead to some truly unique and inspiring musical creations.

Potential Drawbacks and Challenges

Of course, no tuning is perfect, and the B-B approach with a high E string comes with its own set of potential drawbacks and challenges. It's essential to consider these before making the leap and restringing your guitar. One of the primary challenges is string gauge and tension. Achieving the right balance of tension across all seven strings in this tuning can be tricky. The low B string will require a heavier gauge to maintain proper tension and avoid floppiness, while the high E string might need a lighter gauge to prevent breakage and ensure comfortable playability. Finding the right combination of string gauges that feels comfortable and sounds good can take some experimentation. You might need to try different sets or even purchase individual strings to dial in the perfect feel. Another potential issue is fretboard reach. The extra-wide neck of a 7-string guitar can already be a challenge for some players, and the B-B tuning might exacerbate this. The wide range of notes available across the fretboard might require some stretching and adaptation of your playing technique. Certain chord shapes and scale patterns that are comfortable on a 6-string might feel more awkward on a 7-string tuned to B-B. This doesn't mean the tuning is unplayable, but it might require some dedicated practice to get comfortable with the extended reach. The overall versatility of this tuning compared to standard B tuning is also a point to consider. Standard B tuning is a very popular choice for 7-string guitars, and for good reason. It offers a deep low end while maintaining a consistent interval pattern across the strings, making it well-suited for a wide range of musical styles. The B-B with high E tuning, on the other hand, might be more specialized. While it offers unique sonic possibilities, it might not be as universally applicable as standard B tuning. Depending on the music you play, you might find that certain genres or playing styles are better suited to standard B or other alternate tunings. Finally, availability of resources and learning materials could be a factor. Because the B-B with high E tuning is less common than standard B tuning, you might find fewer online resources, tutorials, and transcriptions specifically tailored to this tuning. This could make it more challenging to learn new songs or techniques compared to tunings with a larger online presence. Ultimately, the potential drawbacks of the B-B with high E tuning highlight the importance of careful consideration and experimentation. It's a tuning that offers unique advantages, but it also presents challenges that might not be for everyone. Weighing these factors against your playing style and musical goals is crucial in determining if this tuning is the right fit for you.

How It Compares to Other Extended Range Tunings

Let's put the B-B with high E tuning in perspective by comparing it to other popular extended range guitar tunings. This will help you understand its unique characteristics and whether it aligns with your musical needs and preferences. The most common tuning for 7-string guitars, as mentioned earlier, is standard B tuning (B E A D G B E). This tuning is essentially a standard guitar tuning with an added low B string. Its popularity stems from its straightforward approach to extending the guitar's range without drastically altering the familiar fretboard layout. Standard B tuning is widely used in metal, rock, and progressive music, offering a powerful low end for heavy riffs and chugging rhythms. Compared to the B-B with high E tuning, standard B is arguably more versatile in terms of genre applicability. Its consistent intervals make it relatively easy to adapt to different musical styles and playing techniques. However, it lacks the high-end shimmer and unique chord voicings that the high E string in the B-B tuning provides. Another popular option, particularly for 8-string guitars, is standard F# tuning (F# B E A D G B E). This tuning extends the range even lower than standard B, providing an incredibly deep and resonant sound. It's a favorite among djent and progressive metal guitarists who require extreme low-end frequencies. While F# tuning offers a massive sonic landscape, it can also be challenging to play due to the very low tension of the lowest strings. It requires heavier gauges and often a longer scale length instrument to maintain proper intonation and playability. Compared to the B-B with high E tuning, F# tuning is less focused on the high-end and more on the extreme low frequencies. It's a tuning for those who prioritize earth-shattering heaviness above all else. Beyond these standard tunings, there are countless alternate tunings that extended range guitarists experiment with. Drop tunings, such as drop A (A E A D G B E) or drop E (E B E G# B E), are popular for their simplicity and the ability to create powerful power chords with a single finger. Open tunings, like open B or open E, offer unique chord voicings and slide guitar possibilities. These alternate tunings often have a specific sound or application in mind, and their suitability depends heavily on the musical style and personal preferences of the guitarist. In comparison to these alternate tunings, the B-B with high E tuning sits somewhere in the middle. It's not as widely used as standard B or F# tuning, but it offers a unique blend of low-end power and high-end sparkle that some guitarists might find particularly appealing. It's a tuning that encourages experimentation and can lead to unique musical results, but it also requires a willingness to adapt to its specific challenges and nuances. Ultimately, the best tuning for your extended range guitar depends on your individual playing style, musical goals, and personal preferences. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and experimentation is key to finding the tuning that unlocks your creative potential.

Experimentation is Key

Alright, guys, if there's one takeaway from this whole discussion, it's that experimentation is absolutely key when it comes to extended range guitar tuning! There's no magic formula or one-size-fits-all answer. The best tuning for you depends on your personal preferences, the style of music you play, and the sound you're trying to achieve. Don't be afraid to venture beyond the standard tunings and try out different approaches. The B-B with high E tuning is just one option among many, and it might be the perfect fit for some players while others might find it less appealing. The beauty of extended range guitars is their versatility, and exploring different tunings is a crucial part of unlocking that potential. So, how do you go about experimenting with tunings? Here are a few tips to get you started: First, start with a clear idea of what you want to achieve. What kind of sound are you after? Do you need a super-low end for heavy riffs, a bright and shimmering high end for melodies, or a balanced combination of both? Having a specific goal in mind will help you narrow down your options and choose tunings that are likely to get you closer to your desired sound. Next, research different tunings and their characteristics. There are tons of resources online that discuss various extended range tunings, their pros and cons, and the musical styles they're best suited for. Spend some time reading up on different options and see which ones pique your interest. Once you've identified a few tunings you want to try, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty (or should we say, your fingers calloused?) and start restringing. This is where the real fun begins! Remember to use appropriate string gauges for the tuning you're experimenting with to maintain proper tension and playability. If you're unsure about string gauges, consult a guitar technician or do some research online. After you've restrung your guitar, give the new tuning a thorough workout. Play some familiar riffs and songs in the new tuning to get a feel for how it responds. Try improvising and writing new material to see what kind of creative possibilities it unlocks. Pay attention to how the tuning feels under your fingers, how it sounds, and how well it suits your playing style. Finally, don't be afraid to tweak and adjust. Tuning is not a static thing. You might find that a particular tuning is close to what you want, but needs a little fine-tuning to be perfect. Experiment with slightly different string gauges, or try tuning individual strings up or down a half-step to see how it affects the overall sound and feel. The journey of finding the perfect tuning is an ongoing process, and it's one that's well worth the effort. So, grab your guitar, start experimenting, and unleash the sonic potential of your extended range instrument!

Final Thoughts: Is B-B with High E the Right Choice for You?

So, we've explored the B-B with high E tuning for extended range guitars in detail. We've discussed its potential advantages, such as the extended tonal range and familiar feel, as well as its potential drawbacks, like string gauge challenges and limited resource availability. We've also compared it to other popular tunings like standard B and F#, highlighting its unique position in the landscape of extended range guitar tuning. But the ultimate question remains: is this tuning the right choice for you? There's no simple answer, as the best tuning is highly subjective and depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, by considering the information we've covered in this article, you can make a more informed decision. If you're a guitarist who values a wide tonal palette and wants to explore both deep lows and shimmering highs, the B-B with high E tuning might be an excellent option. The combination of the low B string and the high E string creates a sonic landscape that's both powerful and ethereal, allowing for unique chord voicings and melodic possibilities. If you're transitioning from a 6-string to a 7-string and want to maintain a sense of familiarity, this tuning can also be a good choice. The standard tuning in the middle of the fretboard will feel comfortable and familiar, making the learning curve less steep. You'll be able to apply your existing knowledge of chords, scales, and techniques while gradually incorporating the new low B and high E strings into your playing. However, if you primarily play heavy genres like metal or djent and prioritize extreme low-end frequencies, standard B or F# tuning might be more suitable. These tunings are specifically designed for crushing riffs and earth-shattering rhythms, and they're widely used in those musical styles. If you're a beginner to extended range guitars, starting with standard B tuning might be a good idea. It's the most common tuning, so there are plenty of resources and learning materials available. Once you've become comfortable with standard B, you can then experiment with other tunings like B-B with high E to see if they suit your playing style better. Ultimately, the best way to determine if the B-B with high E tuning is right for you is to try it out yourself. Restring your guitar, spend some time playing in the tuning, and see how it feels and sounds. Experiment with different riffs, chords, and melodies to see what kind of creative possibilities it unlocks. Don't be afraid to tweak and adjust the tuning to suit your personal preferences. The world of extended range guitar tuning is vast and exciting. By experimenting and exploring different options, you'll discover the tunings that inspire you the most and help you unleash your full musical potential. So, go forth and tune those extended range guitars, guys! The sonic possibilities are endless!