About Drop A (6-string) tuning
Drop A on a 6-string is B standard with the lowest string dropped a whole step to A — deathcore and downtempo territory. At this depth a 6-string starts behaving like a 7-string missing its top string, and clarity depends entirely on heavy strings and a tight setup.
If you play Drop A often, consider a baritone scale length; on a standard scale, expect to use the heaviest sixth string you can find. The tuner tracks reliably down to A1 (55 Hz).
Drop A (6-string) tuning notes & frequencies (A4 = 440 Hz)
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | A1 | 55.00 Hz |
| 5 | E2 | 82.41 Hz |
| 4 | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 2 | F#3 | 185.00 Hz |
| 1 | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
How to tune to Drop A (6-string) from standard
- String 6 (E2): tune down 7 semitones to A1.
- String 5 (A2): tune down 5 semitones to E2.
- String 4 (D3): tune down 5 semitones to A2.
- String 3 (G3): tune down 5 semitones to D3.
- String 2 (B3): tune down 5 semitones to F#3.
- String 1 (E4): tune down 5 semitones to B3.
After changing string tension this much, make a second tuning pass — the neck settles slightly and the first strings you tuned will have drifted.
Songs & artists in Drop A (6-string)
Deathcore and downtempo bands — Emmure, Black Tongue and many others — built their sound on Drop A and below.
String gauge advice
.013–.065 minimum on standard scale; baritone scale strongly recommended.
FAQ
What are the notes of Drop A (6-string) tuning on guitar?
Drop A (6-string) tuning is A1, E2, A2, D3, F#3, B3 from the lowest string to the highest.
How do I tune my guitar to Drop A (6-string)?
Starting from standard tuning: String 6 (E2): tune down 7 semitones to A1. String 5 (A2): tune down 5 semitones to E2. String 4 (D3): tune down 5 semitones to A2. String 3 (G3): tune down 5 semitones to D3. String 2 (B3): tune down 5 semitones to F#3. String 1 (E4): tune down 5 semitones to B3. Use the tuner above — it highlights the string it hears and shows exactly how many cents you are from the target.
Is this tuner free and private?
Yes — no ads, no signup, and all audio is processed locally in your browser. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Embed this tuner
Add the Drop A (6-string) tuner to your own site or blog post with an iframe:
<iframe src="https://tunewell.net/embed/guitar/drop-a" width="420" height="560" style="border:0" title="Drop A (6-string) Guitar Tuner"></iframe>