Double drop D Tuning on 6-string guitar
Double drop D tuning is D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 D4, written DADGBD. Lower both the 6th and the 1st string a whole step, E2 to D2 and E4 to D4, and leave the middle four alone.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | MIDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (lowest) | D2 | 73.42 | 38 |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 | 45 |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 | 50 |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 | 55 |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 | 59 |
| 1st (highest) | D4 | 293.66 | 62 |
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 Double drop D tuning
It gives you the one-finger power chord of Drop D at the bottom and a ringing D at the top, so an open D chord has a droning root at both ends of the instrument while the standard-tuned middle four keep most familiar shapes intact.
Where you will hear it: folk rock, country rock, fingerstyle. 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.
Double drop D compared with standard EADGBE 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) | Double drop D | Double drop D (Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (lowest) | E2 | 82.41 | D2 | 73.42 | -2 semitones (-8.99 Hz) |
| 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 | D4 | 293.66 | -2 semitones (-35.96 Hz) |
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 Double drop D, string by string
- Play the 6th (lowest) open and adjust until the tuner reads D2 at 73.42 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 D4 at 293.66 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 Double drop D tuning on a 6-string guitar?
Double drop D is D2, A2, D3, G3, B3, D4, written DADGBD. Lower both the 6th and the 1st string a whole step, E2 to D2 and E4 to D4, and leave the middle four alone.
What are the frequencies of Double drop D tuning?
D2 is 73.42 Hz, A2 is 110.00 Hz, D3 is 146.83 Hz, G3 is 196.00 Hz, B3 is 246.94 Hz, D4 is 293.66 Hz, all in twelve tone equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz.
How many strings change compared to standard tuning?
2 of 6. the 6th (lowest) goes from E2 to D2 (down 2 semitones), the 1st (highest) goes from E4 to D4 (down 2 semitones).
What is the lowest note in Double drop D tuning?
D2 at 73.42 Hz, MIDI note 38. 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.
Other 6-string guitar tunings
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: .