Drop D Tuner (DADGBE)
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Drop D tuning reference
Notes low to high: D A D G B E
| String | Note | Frequency | Vs. standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (lowest) | D2 | 73.42 Hz | down 2 semitones |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 Hz | same |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 Hz | same |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 Hz | same |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 Hz | same |
| 1st (highest) | E4 | 329.63 Hz | same |
How to tune to Drop D
- 1Start in standard tuning. Tune to EADGBE first using the standard tuner if your guitar is out. Drop D is a step away from there, not from scratch.
- 2Drop the 6th string. Loosen the lowest string until the tuner reads D2. Left of center is flat, keep going. Right of center is sharp, you went past it.
- 3Verify with the 4th. Play the open 4th string (D3) and the open 6th string (D2) together. They should sound exactly one octave apart. If anything wavers, the 6th is off.
- 4Play a low power chord. Barre the bottom three strings with one finger and strum. It should ring clean and full, that's the sound Drop D is built for.
What is Drop D tuning
Drop D tuning lowers only the sixth, lowest string a whole step, from E down to D, while the other five strings stay at standard pitch. The result reads D A D G B E from low to high. Because the bottom three strings now form a perfect fifth stack, a single finger laid flat across them plays a full power chord, which is the main reason guitarists reach for Drop D in the first place.
That one finger power chord shape makes fast, heavy riffing easier, and it extends the guitar's low range by two frets without retuning anything else. Drop D shows up constantly in rock, metal, grunge, and modern folk. Foo Fighters' "Everlong," Tool's "Schism," and most Rage Against the Machine songs all lean on Drop D for that low, rumbling foundation.
Switching between standard and Drop D is quick since only one string moves, and it holds tune well. Players who flip back and forth often use a slightly heavier gauge on the low string to keep tension consistent and avoid fret buzz when it's loosened a step.
Frequently asked
What is Drop D tuning?
Drop D is a guitar tuning where the lowest, sixth string is tuned down a whole step, from E to D. The other five strings stay at standard pitch. The full tuning from low to high is D A D G B E.
Why use Drop D?
Drop D lets you play power chords on the lowest three strings with a single finger barre, making heavy riffs faster and looser. It also extends your low range by two frets and gives a darker, beefier sound. Common in rock, metal, grunge, and modern folk.
How do I get from standard tuning to Drop D?
Tune your guitar to standard EADGBE first, then drop the 6th string down a whole step. A useful check: the open 6th string should sound exactly one octave below the open 4th (D) string. Switch this tuner to Drop D mode and the target frequency becomes D2.
Does Drop D hurt my guitar's intonation?
No. Drop D is a small adjustment and your guitar will hold tune fine. If you switch between standard and Drop D constantly, a setup with slightly heavier strings on the 6th can help keep tension consistent and prevent fret buzz on the low D.
Famous Drop D songs to practice with?
Foo Fighters' "Everlong," Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box," Tool's "Schism," Soundgarden's "Outshined," and most Rage Against the Machine. All use Drop D to get that low D rumble and one-finger power chords.
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If your guitar still doesn't sound right after tuning to Drop D, buzzy frets, intonation drift up the neck, or action that fights you, a proper setup will change everything. Based in Pikeville, NC, serving Goldsboro and Wayne County.