Paralyzed

Required String Notes:Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb

Tune to Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard)

How to Tune from Standard to Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard)

Start in standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 7 of 7 strings to play “Paralyzed”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 7	B1	A#1	Tune down a half step
String 6	E2	D#2	Tune down a half step
String 5	A2	G#2	Tune down a half step
String 4	D3	C#3	Tune down a half step
String 3	G3	F#3	Tune down a half step
String 2	B3	A#3	Tune down a half step
String 1	E4	D#4	Tune down a half step

Recommended string gauge: .010–.056 (7-string). A dedicated 7-string set keeps the low B tight enough to stay in tune.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String (.010–.056) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Paralyzed" by Dream Theater is played in Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard) (Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb). Starting from standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 7 of 7 strings: string 7 down to A#, string 6 down to D#, string 5 down to G#, string 4 down to C#, string 3 down to F#, string 2 down to A#, string 1 down to D#. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 1 semitone down. Dream Theater uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard)

Already tuned to Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb? These tunings are just one small change away.

Drop G# 7-String Tuning23 songs

G# - D# - G# - C# - F# - A# - D#Only string 7 differs: G# instead of A#.

Custom Tuning (ADGCFAD)4 songs

ADGCFADSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Custom Tuning (A#C#G#C#F#A#D#)1 song

A#C#G#C#F#A#D#Only string 6 differs: C# instead of D#.

Custom Tuning (G#C#F#BEG#C#)1 song

G#C#F#BEG#C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.

Dream Theater’s Guitar Tunings

Dream Theater plays 2 of 34 songs in our catalog in Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard). 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 Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard)

Strings and tools that make playing "Paralyzed" in Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard) easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 7-String (.010–.056)

Recommended gauge .010–.056 (7-string). A dedicated 7-string set keeps the low B tight enough to stay in tune.

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

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“Paralyzed” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Paralyzed" by Dream Theater in?

"Paralyzed" is played in Meshuggah 7-String (Bb Standard): Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Paralyzed"?

Start from standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E). String 7: tune down a half step (B1 → A#1). String 6: tune down a half step (E2 → D#2). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → G#2). String 4: tune down a half step (D3 → C#3). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → F#3). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → A#3). String 1: tune down a half step (E4 → D#4).