B♭ tuning

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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.