Drop D Tuning on 6-string guitar
Drop D tuning is D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4, written DADGBE. Lower the 6th string one whole step, from E2 to D2. The other five strings do not move.
| 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) | 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 D tuning
With the lowest string a whole step down, the bottom three strings become a root, fifth and octave stack, so a power chord takes one finger laid flat instead of two or three. It also drops the lowest available note a whole step without touching anything else you already know.
Where you will hear it: rock, metal, grunge, fingerstyle in D. 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 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) | Drop D | 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 | 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 drop your low string to D
Start from standard tuning, then tune the low E string down until it matches D2 at 73.42 Hz, a whole step below its usual 82.41 Hz. The other five strings, A2, D3, G3, B3 and E4, are unchanged. Because the low string is now the same letter name as the fourth string, D2 and D3 an octave apart, laying a single finger straight across the bottom three strings gives you a full power chord anywhere on the neck.
Dropping a string a whole step reduces its tension, so expect a slightly looser feel and check the tuning again after a few minutes of playing. Going back to standard afterwards just means tuning that same string back up to E2.
How to tune to 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 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 D tuning on a 6-string guitar?
Drop D is D2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4, written DADGBE. Lower the 6th string one whole step, from E2 to D2. The other five strings do not move.
What are the frequencies of 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, 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 6. the 6th (lowest) goes from E2 to D2 (down 2 semitones).
What is the lowest note in 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.
Why do guitarists use Drop D?
It lets you play a power chord across the bottom three strings with a single finger, which speeds up fast riffing and makes low, heavy chord shapes easier. It is common in rock, metal and grunge.
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: .