Question: Why do you need 7 strings, six strings will work just fine?! Answer: Yes six strings will work just fine. You can go your whole life playing a six string guitar and never need anything more or less. But, the 7th string on the guitar gives you a whole lower string to work with, more tones, a few lower notes, and can expand your creativity. With that kind of power, I don't see why somebody wouldn't look at the 7 string as a serious instrument.

Question: Aren't 7-string guitars hard to play? Answer: The only thing that some people may have a problem with is the size of the neck. On some 7-strings the neck can be very wide and very thick. This can cause cramps in the hand if you are not used to playing on such a thick neck. Other than that, its just like playing any other six string guitar...there's just one more string.

Question: If I buy a 7-string then I will have to re-learn everything that I already know how to play won't I?? Answer: NO. Just play all the music that you already know and have written on strings 1 through 6 as normal (string 1 being the small "E"). It make take a bit of getting used to seeing and feeling 7 strings, but a little bit of practice, and you'll get used to it.

Strings for the 7-string:

There are not a whole lot of companies that make 7-string sets, and its almost assured that your favorite string maker doesn't either. I use Dean Markley's exclusively, and they do not make a set for 7-string guitars. Therefore I have to buy two packs of strings at a time. It costs a little more, but thats just kinda how it goes. For strings 1 through 6 I use Dean Markley NickelSteel Electric Lites 9-42 and on the low "B" I use Dean Markley ElectricSteel Jazz 54:

E: 9/0.23
B: 11/0.28
G: 16/0.41
D: 24/0.61
A: 32/0.81
E: 42/1.07
B: 54/1.37

TUNINGS:

The standard six string guitar tuning is E A D G B E. The first six strings from high "E" to low "E" is the same as on the six string guitar. The 7th or top string in a standard tuning scenario would be "B". You could also do a "dropped" tuning like the "drop D" on six string guitars, by dropping the 7th string "B" to an "A".

Standard Six string: E  A  D  G  B  E
Standard  7  string: B  E  A  D  G  B  E

Dropped Six string (Drop D): D  A  D  G  B  E
Dropped  7  string (Drop A): A  E  A  D  G  B  E

Some people like to use a "flat" tuning such as "Eb" (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb) and so on. This is not a problem with the 7 string guitar, but you have to keep in mind that the low string is so low already that if you go too terribly much lower (depending on your guitar) you could end up with problems such as string buzz or just have a floppy string. Of course the same problems exist on a six string guitar, but the threshold on a 7 string is much lower.

Chords

Chords are played no differently than on a six string guitar. If you want to play a "G" chord, you would still use the same notes as you would on a six string: G B D G D G

E:------3------|
B:------3------|
G:------0------|
D:------0------|
A:------2------|
E:------3------|
B:-------------|

Power chords are no different either. If you want to play a "G" you would still play the same notes: G D G B D G

E:------3------|
B:------3------|
G:------4------|
D:------5------|
A:------5------|
E:------3------|
B:-------------|

It will take a little getting used to feeling and seeing the extra string on the guitar, but it won't take you long. Plus now you've got more options in getting what you hear in your head out onto the guitar!! Lets take a look real quick at a few of the commonly used six string chords and their positions and then relate them to the 7-string:

        E                B                F                C
E:-------------| E:-------------| E:-------------| E:-------------|
B:-------------| B:-------------| B:-------------| B:-------------|
G:-------------| G:-------------| G:-------------| G:-------------|
D:------2------| D:-------------| D:------3------| D:-------------|
A:------2------| A:------2------| A:------3------| A:------3------|
E:------0------| E:------2------| E:------1------| E:------3------|
B:-------------| B:------0------| B:-------------| B:------1------|

A                E                B                D
E:-------------| E:-------------| E:-------------| E:-------------|
B:-------------| B:-------------| B:-------------| B:-------------|
G:------2------| G:-------------| G:------4------| G:-------------|
D:------2------| D:-------------| D:------4------| D:-------------|
A:------0------| A:------7------| A:------2------| A:------5------|
E:-------------| E:------7------| E:-------------| E:------5------|
B:-------------| B:------5------| B:-------------| B:------3------|

As you can see there is not a difference in the way you play, just in the names of what you are playing. Needless to say there are many other chords and chord possibilities, as well as chords that use all 7 strings, but you can use basic chord theory and figure those out!!

Scales:

Scales are for the most part no different if you are only using the low "E" through the high "E". But when you add in the 7th string (low "B") the patterns will change. For example:

Traditional "A minor" Pentatonic scale in the 5th position:

E:--------------------------------5--8--|
B:--------------------------5--8--------|
G:--------------------5--7--------------|
D:--------------5--7--------------------|
A:--------5--7--------------------------|
E:--5--8--------------------------------|
B:--------------------------------------|

Now here is a "E minor" Pentatonic scale in the 5th position using all 7 strings. This becomes an "E minor" scale because it starts out on the 7th string on the note of "E", even though it is in the same position as the "A minor" scale:

"E minor" Pentatonic scale in the 5th position for 7-string guitar:

E:--------------------------------------5--7--|
B:--------------------------------5--8--------|
G:--------------------------4--7--------------|
D:--------------------5--7--------------------|
A:--------------5--7--------------------------|
E:--------5--7--------------------------------|
B:--5--8--------------------------------------|

What we are really looking at here is positions and patters. When you add in the 7th string, the pattern that you are used to playing in the 5th position changes. Using basic theory, you can extend the "A minor" pentatonic to include the 7th string without changing the scale to an "E minor".

Technique:

We can't talk about playing on any instrument without mentioning technique. Playing technique was not developed off the top of somebody's head. It is tried and tested methods of playing to gain the maximum playing ability. If you do not play the instrument properly you will not be able to develop to your full potential, and risk serious permanent injury to you joints and muscles. Therefore whenever you are practicing, make sure that you are not putting too much strain on yourself, and make sure that you are comfortable. This is especially important when switching from a six string guitar to a 7-string. This way you will be able to enjoy many many years of pain free playing enjoyment and be the best that you possibly can!!

Hopefully this has provided some insight into the world of 7-string guitars and cleared up a few common misconceptions about playing one. Good Luck!!!!

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