Drop D tuning at a glance
Drop D lowers the thickest string one whole step from E2 to D2. The other five strings stay in standard tuning. It gives you a lower bass note while keeping familiar shapes on the upper strings.
How it soundsA lower bass note gives riffs extra range, and the lowest three strings make movable power chords easy. The upper five strings keep their familiar tuning.
Your target notes
- Changed from standard
- 1 of 6 strings
- Lowest note
- D2
- Tuner preset
- Drop D
Drop D tuning notes
From string 6 (thickest) to string 1 (thinnest): D2 · A2 · D3 · G3 · B3 · E4.
Highlighted strings differ from standard tuning (E2 · A2 · D3 · G3 · B3 · E4).
| String | Note | From standard |
|---|---|---|
| 6Thickest | D2 | Down a whole step from E2 |
| 5 | A2 | Same as standard |
| 4 | D3 | Same as standard |
| 3 | G3 | Same as standard |
| 2 | B3 | Same as standard |
| 1Thinnest | E4 | Same as standard |
How to tune your guitar to Drop D
Use the tuner above and allow microphone access when prompted. Pluck a string and adjust its peg until the tuner shows that string’s target note in the center.
- The tuner above starts in Drop D. If you change it, choose this preset again in All tunings.
- Pluck string 6, the thickest string, and gently loosen its peg until it reads D2.
- Check strings 5 through 1 against A2, D3, G3, B3 and E4, then recheck the low D.
Tuning tipPluck one string at a time and let it ring. Make small peg adjustments while watching the tuner. Follow the string to its own peg before turning it, and recheck the strings after every pass.
Returning to standard
Select Standard first, then tighten string 6 gently from D2 to E2 and recheck all six strings.
Songs in Drop D
These recordings are useful starting points; check each song’s arrangement for capo or string setup details.
- Everlong — Foo Fighters Tuning source
- Dear Prudence — The Beatles Tuning source
- Killing in the Name — Rage Against the Machine Tuning source
Did you know?
Tom Morello came up with the original “Killing in the Name” riff while giving a student a lesson in Drop D. Read the story
