Most serious guitarists have given the 7-string guitar some thought. Certainly there is no shortage of opinion in the press. The 6-string purists are generally discouraging but I say ignore the naysayers! How many of them have actually sat down in private and had an honest session on 7 strings? Anyone with an inquiring mind who takes the time to do this will be inspired. If it has ever crossed your mind to have a go, or you just feel vaguely dissatisfied with 6 strings, then read on...
Aspiring 7-stringers should consider some important pros and cons before taking the plunge:
For me, the pros outweigh the cons. If you are still interested and have access to the real thing, take a turn through this basic 7-string starter pack. It is a set of essential exercises designed to address the initial obstacles and set your development in motion.
Familiarizing your hands with an extra string requires sustained determination and disciplined work but if you invite the new string to play, it will surely join in. Below is a chromatic scale followed by an Am add9 chord. Tune to 7A, keep your eyes on your fretting hand, and set a metronome going. These tasks are designed to expose the mind and fingers to the 7-string's full range of notes and overcome the basic technical hurdles i.e. teaching your picking hand about the new bass string and your fretting hand about the increased width of the board.
For the most part I tune my 7th to an A i.e. 7A 6E 5A 4D 3G 2B 1E. I do this to throw a bit of variety into 'standard tuning'. We already have four intervals of a 4th (6E-5A, 5A-4D, 4D-3G, 2B-1E), one of a third (3G-2B) and if you go for 7A you now have one of a fifth (7A-6E). Most production 7s come with 7B as standard because this is the most logical choice based on standard tuning.
Obviously the 7-string guitar is not for everyone. Taming the 7-string is not an idle pastime. Most folk are secure and satisfied with their 6string. The 7-string guitar is not for the herd- it is an instrument for the creative and experimental individuals among you. Sure, there are plenty of 7-stringers who could benefit from a little more 6string practice, and who could arguably achieve the same results in their playing from detuning a 6string; but there are equally as many who are forging ahead and pushing the boundaries.
Guy Pople is a music, education and multimedia specialist based in the UK`s North-West. He plays guitars, studies theory and runs St Annes Music in Lytham St. Annes, a one-stop shop for musicians on the Fylde coast of Lancashire. St Annes Music offers professional instruments, recording, tuition and accessories.
His live band Nomad is currently building up their original music. You can catch him
on Virtual Strangers.
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