7-string B♭ standard tuning (B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭)

7-string players who live a half step down, and bands pairing a 7-string with E♭-tuned guitars.

B♭1E♭2A♭2D♭3G♭3B♭3E♭4

Tune to B♭ standard in your browser

B♭ standard is 7-string standard lowered a half step on every string: B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭. It is the 7-string version of E♭ standard, with the same slightly looser feel and the same shapes.

Players who tune their six-strings a half step down use it to keep both instruments in the same world.

Notes and frequencies

From the thickest string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). Changed strings are highlighted.

String	Note	Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz)	Change from standard
7	B♭1	58.27 Hz	−1 semitone from B1
6	E♭2	77.78 Hz	−1 semitone from E2
5	A♭2	103.83 Hz	−1 semitone from A2
4	D♭3	138.59 Hz	−1 semitone from D3
3	G♭3	185.00 Hz	−1 semitone from G3
2	B♭3	233.08 Hz	−1 semitone from B3
1	E♭4	311.13 Hz	−1 semitone from E4

From standard tuning

String 7: lower B1 down a half step to B♭1.
String 6: lower E2 down a half step to E♭2.
String 5: lower A2 down a half step to A♭2.
String 4: lower D3 down a half step to D♭3.
String 3: lower G3 down a half step to G♭3.
String 2: lower B3 down a half step to B♭3.
String 1: lower E4 down a half step to E♭4.

Tuning to B♭ standard in TuneGlass

Open Settings and choose 7-string guitar.
Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose B♭ standard from the presets. Presets beyond the thickest string are part of TuneGlass Pro, a one-time purchase.
Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.

Tips

All seven strings move, so make a second pass after the first.
Normal 7-string gauges work; the low B♭ is only a semitone below the usual B.

Questions

What is B♭ standard on a 7-string?

B♭ E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭: every string a half step below 7-string standard.

Is this the same as A♯ standard?

Yes. B♭ and A♯ are the same pitch.

Related tunings

English