Confused about a Seven String

[SixStringMadman]

Alright, this may have been discussed on another thread at an earlier date, but I just registered here yesterday, so, bear with me.

I understand the music theory behind a six-stringed guitar ok, but my confusion is in adding another string to get a seven string guitar. The only band I actively see using a seven-string right now is Korn, but I am in no way fans of theirs, so I havn't actually looked into their music for any explinations.

How does a seven string differ from the six string in terms of chord theory and scales and such? I would imagine it would have to differ. Also, what does adding the seventh string do in terms of the guitars tuning--is it a higher pitched string, or a lower pitched one?

This is a subject of great intrest to me because I would someday like to play a seven-string, so any information is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

SixStringMadman

[terrafirma]

The string added is a low B, right behind the low E. The low B string allows guitarists to dig deeper into the range of the bass and voice chords in new ways. Unfortunately, many of the habits we develop on a conventional guitar don't translate well to the seven-string. My friend is a talented guitarist and has a very comfortable command of the neck. He told me once when he took up the seven string, he expected to play a run starting on the G string without a problem. But when he would move his hands over to play on that string, he would end up fretting the D string, or landing between the G and D strings. He had to retrain his muscles to adjust to the position of the G string all over again. Maybe your muscles will make the transition more easily than my friends. Hope this helps some.

[ESP_Viper]

Yeah, a 7 string is odd to play. Especially when soloing... I have to 'think' about what string I am picking and fingering. That low B does confuse ya.

You really can't do traditional open position chords, at least not strumming them. I am sure there are 7 string open position chords. I am not a 7 string player so I haven't looked too heavily into music for them. I would like to have a 7 string guitar. The big names that play 7 strings (korn) abuse them. They take a guitar that can go really low and tune it even lower. Then they turn all the distortion up that they can and they hammer on that low string. It's not guitar playing. Players need to actually PLAY it. Like John Petrucci and Steve Vai. They do screaming leads and awesome riffs on the 7 string. Utilizing all strings but not abusing the low one. I kinda said a lot...