Guitar tuning · D A D G B E
Drop D tuning
Drop D tuning: D A D G B E, low to high. Used for rock, grunge, metal and fingerstyle with a deep bass.
Notes and frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
Frequencies for A4 = 440 Hz.
From standard tuning
- Lower the 6th string a whole step: E → D.
Check each string with a tuner, then go round once more — changing one string’s tension nudges the others.
One-finger power chords
The three low strings form a root–5th–octave power chord, so one finger flat across a fret plays a power chord. Open: D5.
fret 0 → D5fret 2 → E5fret 3 → F5fret 5 → G5fret 7 → A5
FAQ
- What are the notes of Drop D tuning?
- From the low string to the high string: D A D G B E.
- Is changing tuning bad for my guitar?
- No — tunings within a few half steps of standard are fine. For much lower tunings you keep long-term, heavier strings and a setup help with tension and intonation.
- How do I tune to it accurately?
- Use a chromatic tuner — it reads any note, not just standard tuning. Always tune up to the note so the string stays in tune.