What are the notes of Drop D tuning?

Drop D tuning on guitar is D A D G B E, from the lowest string to the highest.

How do I tune to Drop D from standard tuning?

Starting from standard (E A D G B E): string 6 down a whole step. Every other string stays the same. Use the tuner above to check each string.

Is Drop D tuning bad for my guitar?

No. Changing tuning is completely safe. Just tune gradually, and when raising pitch go slowly so you don't over-tighten a string. After a big change, the neck can take a day to settle, so check your tuning again.

Drop D tuningD A D G B E

Drop D lowers only the 6th string a whole step, from E to D. The bottom three strings then form a D power chord you can play with one finger.

It's the quickest alternate tuning to get into: one string moves and the rest stay in standard, so every chord shape you know on the top five strings still works.

Drop D is everywhere in rock, grunge and metal for heavy one-finger power chords, and in fingerstyle and folk for a deep open D bass note.

Also called · DADGBE

§ 1

String chart

String 1 is the thinnest. Frequencies are exact at A4 = 440 Hz; change the reference on the A4 knob.

StrNoteFrequencyFrom std.

1EE4 · Mi329.6 Hz—

2BB3 · Si246.9 Hz—

3GG3 · Sol196.0 Hz—

4DD3 · Re146.8 Hz—

5AA2 · La110.0 Hz—

6DD2 · Re73.42 Hz▼ a whole step

§ 2

Tuning your guitar to Drop D

Automatically with the microphone, or by ear: tap any note on the headstock to hear a real recorded reference.

1
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2
Pluck one string at a time and let it ring. The tuner detects which string you're playing.
3
If the needle is left of centre the string is flat, so tighten it. If it's right of centre the string is sharp, so loosen it.
4
Turn the peg slowly until the note turns green and the needle sits in the middle. Then move on to the next string.
5
Go round once more: tuning one string slightly changes the tension on the others.

§ 4

Questions & troubleshooting

What are the notes of Drop D tuning?: Drop D tuning on guitar is D A D G B E, from the lowest string to the highest.
How do I tune to Drop D from standard tuning?: Starting from standard (E A D G B E): string 6 down a whole step. Every other string stays the same. Use the tuner above to check each string.
Is Drop D tuning bad for my guitar?: No. Changing tuning is completely safe. Just tune gradually, and when raising pitch go slowly so you don't over-tighten a string. After a big change, the neck can take a day to settle, so check your tuning again.

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