Pale Blue Dot

Required String Notes:B - E - A - D - G - B - E

How to Tune from Standard to 7-String Standard B

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Pale Blue Dot”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	B1	Tune down 5 semitones
String 5	A2	E2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 4	D3	A2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 3	G3	D3	Tune down 5 semitones
String 2	B3	F#3	Tune down 5 semitones
String 1	E4	B3	Tune down 5 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Pale Blue Dot" by Dream Theater is played in 7-String Standard B (B - E - A - D - G - B - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to B, string 5 down to E, string 4 down to A, string 3 down to D, string 2 down to F#, string 1 down to B. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 5 semitones down. Dream Theater uses this same tuning on 16 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to 7-String Standard B

Already tuned to B - E - A - D - G - B - E? These tunings are just one small change away.

C# Standard Tuning52 songs

C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

C Standard Tuning49 songs

C - F - Bb - Eb - G - CSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Bb Standard Tuning24 songs

Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - F - BbSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Drop A Tuning8 songs

A - E - A - D - F# - BOnly string 6 differs: A instead of B.

Dream Theater’s Guitar Tunings

Dream Theater plays 17 of 34 songs in our catalog in 7-String Standard B. Most-used tunings:

B Standard / BaritoneB - E - A - D - F# - B17 songs
C Standard TuningC - F - Bb - Eb - G - C5 songs
D Standard / Whole-Step DownD - G - C - F - A - D2 songs
Custom Tuning (ADGCEA)ADGCEA2 songs
Custom Tuning (ADGCFAD)ADGCFAD2 songs

Gear for 7-String Standard B

Strings and tools that make playing "Pale Blue Dot" in 7-String Standard B easier.

Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072)

Recommended gauge .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.

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D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Pale Blue Dot” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Pale Blue Dot" by Dream Theater in?

"Pale Blue Dot" is played in 7-String Standard B: B - E - A - D - G - B - E, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Pale Blue Dot"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 5 semitones (E2 → B1). String 5: tune down 5 semitones (A2 → E2). String 4: tune down 5 semitones (D3 → A2). String 3: tune down 5 semitones (G3 → D3). String 2: tune down 5 semitones (B3 → F#3). String 1: tune down 5 semitones (E4 → B3).

What string gauge should I use for 7-String Standard B?

Use a .013–.072 set. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.

Which other Dream Theater songs use this tuning?

"A Change of Seasons", "Bridges In The Sky", "Build Me Up Break Me Down", "Caught in a Web", "Fall Into The Light", "Just Let Me Breathe" and 10 more — all in B - E - A - D - G - B - E, so you can play them without retuning.