Lesson 22: Bb tuning


B♭ tuning is a method of guitar tuning in which all the strings on a six-string guitar are moved down by 3 steps. For example,

1 step = E → D, 2 steps = D → C, 3 steps = C → B♭,

Tuning all the strings would result in:

E → B♭, A → E♭, D → A♭, G → D♭, B → F, e' → b'♭,

However, on seven-string guitars, a low B string is added over the standard six string arrangement. Therefore, to achieve B standard on this type of guitar, the strings must only be moved by a half-step (or a semitone):

B → B♭, E → E♭, A → A♭, D → D♭, G → G♭, b' → b'♭, e' → e'♭,

One example of this tuning is progressive metal band Nevermore who uses this tuning to achieve a slightly heavier sound then the standard tuned seven string. Another example is the song Panic Attack, from Dream Theater in their album Octavarium.

The lowercase letters followed by an apostrophe are two octaves above their upper case counterparts.


BLUES SLIDE GUITAR - BARITONE Bb tuning

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