Drop A Tuning on 7-string guitar
Drop A tuning is A1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4, written AEADGBE. Lower the 7th string one whole step, from B1 to A1. The other six keep 7-string standard tuning.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | MIDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th (lowest) | A1 | 55.00 | 33 |
| 6th | E2 | 82.41 | 40 |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 | 45 |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 | 50 |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 | 55 |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 | 59 |
| 1st (highest) | E4 | 329.63 | 64 |
Every frequency is computed from the MIDI number, not typed in. Each one links to its own reference page.
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Why guitarists use Drop A tuning
It is the 7-string equivalent of Drop D: the bottom three strings become root, fifth and octave, so a power chord is one flat finger, and the lowest note drops to A1 while every shape on strings one to six is untouched.
Where you will hear it: metal, djent, progressive metal. That list is deliberately limited to genres and playing traditions. Attributing a tuning to specific songs or players is the kind of claim that needs a source, and this page does not make claims it cannot back up.
Drop A compared with standard BEADGBE tuning
This is the table that tells you how far to turn each peg, in semitones and in hertz. A negative semitone value means the string goes down.
| String | Standard | Standard (Hz) | Drop A | Drop A (Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th (lowest) | B1 | 61.74 | A1 | 55.00 | -2 semitones (-6.74 Hz) |
| 6th | E2 | 82.41 | E2 | 82.41 | unchanged |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 | A2 | 110.00 | unchanged |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 | D3 | 146.83 | unchanged |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 | G3 | 196.00 | unchanged |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 | B3 | 246.94 | unchanged |
| 1st (highest) | E4 | 329.63 | E4 | 329.63 | unchanged |
Notice that equal semitone steps are not equal hertz steps: the same whole step is worth about 9 Hz down at the bottom string and far more at the top. That is why tuners report cents, which are proportional, rather than hertz.
How to tune to Drop A, string by string
- Play the 7th (lowest) open and adjust until the tuner reads A1 at 55.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 6th open and adjust until the tuner reads E2 at 82.41 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 5th open and adjust until the tuner reads A2 at 110.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 4th open and adjust until the tuner reads D3 at 146.83 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 3rd open and adjust until the tuner reads G3 at 196.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 2nd open and adjust until the tuner reads B3 at 246.94 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 1st (highest) open and adjust until the tuner reads E4 at 329.63 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
Retune in two passes. Changing the tension on one string changes the pull on the neck, so the strings you set first will have drifted slightly by the time you finish the last one. That effect is larger the further the tuning sits from standard, so a tuning that moves four or more strings almost always needs a third pass.
Frequently asked questions
What notes is Drop A tuning on a 7-string guitar?
Drop A is A1, E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4, written AEADGBE. Lower the 7th string one whole step, from B1 to A1. The other six keep 7-string standard tuning.
What are the frequencies of Drop A tuning?
A1 is 55.00 Hz, E2 is 82.41 Hz, A2 is 110.00 Hz, D3 is 146.83 Hz, G3 is 196.00 Hz, B3 is 246.94 Hz, E4 is 329.63 Hz, all in twelve tone equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz.
How many strings change compared to standard tuning?
1 of 7. the 7th (lowest) goes from B1 to A1 (down 2 semitones).
What is the lowest note in Drop A tuning?
A1 at 55.00 Hz, MIDI note 33. Low notes take longer for a pitch detector to lock onto, so play the string firmly and let it ring before trusting the cents reading.
More tuning references
Frequencies on this page are computed at build time from twelve tone equal temperament with A4 = 440 Hz, using the twelfth root of two (about 1.059463) per semitone. Nothing is typed in by hand. See the full method and sources. Maintained by FusionStudios. Last reviewed: .