About Drop D tuning
Drop D lowers only the sixth string from E down a whole step to D, leaving everything else in standard. The payoff is huge for one small change: one-finger power chords on the bottom three strings, a heavier low end, and a D bass note for folk and fingerstyle arrangements in D.
Since only one string changes, the fastest method is to pluck the low string and tune down until the needle centers on D. A useful check by ear: the open sixth string should sound exactly an octave below your open fourth string.
Drop D tuning notes & frequencies (A4 = 440 Hz)
| 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 |
How to tune to Drop D from standard
- String 6 (E2): tune down a whole step to D2.
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 D
- Everlong — Foo Fighters
- Killing in the Name — Rage Against the Machine
- Harvest Moon — Neil Young
- Spoonman — Soundgarden
- Slither — Velvet Revolver
String gauge advice
Standard sets handle Drop D fine. If the low D feels flappy, try a hybrid set with a heavier sixth string (e.g. .010–.052).
FAQ
What are the notes of Drop D tuning on guitar?
Drop D tuning is D2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4 from the lowest string to the highest.
How do I tune my guitar to Drop D?
Starting from standard tuning: String 6 (E2): tune down a whole step to D2. 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 D tuner to your own site or blog post with an iframe:
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