What notes are in DADGAD tuning?

DADGAD tuning uses D-A-D-G-A-D from lowest to highest string. With exact octaves, the notes are D2, A2, D3, G3, A3, and D4.

How do I tune a guitar to DADGAD?

Start from standard tuning, lower the 6th string from E to D, lower the 2nd string from B to A, and lower the 1st string from E to D. The 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings stay at A, D, and G.

What chord is DADGAD tuning?

The open strings in DADGAD form a Dsus4 sound. Because there is no F# or F natural in the open strings, the tuning feels suspended and modal instead of clearly major or minor.

Is DADGAD an open tuning?

DADGAD is often grouped with open tunings because several strings ring as drones, but the open strings form Dsus4 rather than a full major or minor chord. That makes it a modal tuning instead of a true open major tuning like Open D.

Is DADGAD good for fingerstyle guitar?

Yes. DADGAD is especially useful for acoustic fingerstyle because the D, A, and G strings create drones while fretted notes move around them. That is why it appears often in Celtic, folk, and modern acoustic arrangements.

Is DADGAD the same as Open D tuning?

No. DADGAD is D-A-D-G-A-D and creates a suspended Dsus4 sound. Open D is D-A-D-F#-A-D and forms a D major chord when all open strings ring together.

Do I need different strings for DADGAD?

Most guitars can use normal strings for DADGAD, but .011-.050 or .012-.054 sets often feel better for acoustic fingerstyle because the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings are tuned down.

What is DADGAD tuning best for?

DADGAD is especially useful for DADGAD tuning online, DADGAD guitar tuner, D-A-D-G-A-D tuning notes. It changes the way open strings and chord shapes feel, so spend a few minutes listening to the open strings before learning full songs.

Is DADGAD tuning good for beginners?

DADGAD is an intermediate tuning. Beginners can use it, but it helps to learn the target notes first and start with slower songs before trying fast chord changes.

What songs use DADGAD tuning?

Popular examples in DADGAD include Kashmir by Led Zeppelin, The Water is Wide by Traditional, Drifting by Andy McKee. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.

Back to DADGAD Tuner

Guitar

DADGAD Songs for Guitar

Tuning:

D2A2D3G3A3D4

Explore 16 songs in DADGAD tuning for acoustic, folk, Celtic, and rock guitar. Tune D2-A2-D3-G3-A3-D4 first, then compare beginner, intermediate, and advanced DADGAD songs.

Beginner DADGAD song

The Water is Wide

A slower traditional folk melody that makes the open-string drones easy to hear.

Classic DADGAD rock

Kashmir and Going to California

Led Zeppelin examples that show how DADGAD works for riffs, drones, and modal color.

Modern fingerstyle

Drifting and Rylynn

Advanced acoustic pieces for percussive, ringing DADGAD technique.

Showing 16 of 16 songs

AdvancedFolk1965

Angie

Bert Jansch

British folk masterpiece that influenced Jimmy Page's DADGAD style.

Perfect for dadgad practice

AdvancedFolk Rock1969

Black Mountainside

Led Zeppelin

Intricate DADGAD fingerpicking piece inspired by Bert Jansch.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateCeltic1995

Celtic Spirit

David Russell

Traditional Celtic melody adapted for DADGAD tuning.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateMetal/Acoustic2004

Circle

Slipknot

DADGAD with a capo on the 2nd fret. An unusual folk-influenced track from a metal band.

Perfect for dadgad practice

AdvancedAcoustic2001

Drifting

Andy McKee

Modern acoustic guitar masterpiece showcasing DADGAD's capabilities.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateFolk Rock1971

Going to California

Led Zeppelin

Another Zeppelin classic demonstrating DADGAD's folk potential.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateIndie Folk2011

January Hymn

The Decemberists

Gentle fingerpicking with open string drones. A beautiful example of DADGAD in modern folk.

Perfect for dadgad practice

AdvancedRock1975

Kashmir

Led Zeppelin

Epic DADGAD masterpiece with complex fingering and exotic scales.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateFolk1989

Lullaby

Shawn Colvin

Gentle DADGAD fingerpicking with beautiful harmonic textures.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateBritish Folk1969

Matty Groves

Fairport Convention

Richard Thompson's DADGAD arrangement of this traditional English ballad.

Perfect for dadgad practice

AdvancedAcoustic2005

Rylynn

Andy McKee

Percussive DADGAD piece featuring tapping and harmonics.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateIndie Folk2006

The Crane Wife 1 & 2

The Decemberists

Epic two-part song with droning open strings and modal chord voicings characteristic of DADGAD.

Perfect for dadgad practice

AdvancedProgressive Rock1990

The Crying Machine

Steve Vai

Complex DADGAD composition demonstrating modern applications.

Perfect for dadgad practice

BeginnerFolk

The Water is Wide

Traditional

Beautiful traditional ballad perfect for learning DADGAD fingerpicking.

Perfect for dadgad practice

IntermediateRock Ballad1993

Two Steps Behind

Def Leppard

Shows how DADGAD works in rock ballads.

Perfect for dadgad practice

AdvancedFolk Rock1969

White Summer

Led Zeppelin

Jimmy Page's DADGAD showcase with Indian-influenced melodic lines.

Perfect for dadgad practice

Affiliate partner

In tune. Now learn a song.

We recommend Guitar Tricks for step-by-step lessons, real songs, and a guided path from beginner fundamentals to advanced techniques.

Try Guitar Tricks free for 14 days

Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.

DADGAD Songs FAQ

What are popular songs in DADGAD tuning?

Popular DADGAD songs include Kashmir, Going to California, Black Mountainside, The Water is Wide, Drifting, Rylynn, and several Celtic and British folk arrangements.

What is an easy DADGAD song to start with?

The Water is Wide is a good first DADGAD song because the slower folk melody lets you hear the open D, A, and G drones without fighting fast chord changes.

What tuning do I need for DADGAD songs?

Tune the guitar from low to high as D-A-D-G-A-D. The 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings move down from standard tuning while the A, D, and G strings stay the same.

Ready to tune your guitar to DADGAD?

Use our free online tuner to get your guitar perfectly tuned to DADGADand start playing these amazing songs.

Tune to DADGAD