Drop A Tuning Online
This Drop A guitar tuner is preset for 6-string AEADF#B tuning. Lower the strings gradually, then tune A-E-A-D-F#-B from low to high.
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Learn Drop A After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to A1-E2-A2-D3-F#3-B3, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Drop A useful.
Advanced
Best approached as a advanced guitar tuning.
0
Start with chord shapes and related tunings while the song list grows.
tuning Drop A online, using a Drop A guitar tuner, checking A-E-A-D-F#-B notes, 6-string low A riffs
First practice targets
This tuning does not have a song list yet. Start by learning the target notes, then compare nearby tunings and chord shapes.
Open the chord libraryAbout Drop A Guitar Tuning (AEADF#B)
Drop A tuning for 6-string guitar (A-E-A-D-F#-B) is an ultra-low tuning built for heavy riffs, extended-range sounds, and tight palm-muted rhythm parts. It keeps the same one-finger power chord logic as Drop D and Drop C, but moves the whole guitar into a much lower register.
Use this Drop A tuning online page as an AEADF#B note check: 6th string A1, 5th string E2, 4th string A2, 3rd string D3, 2nd string F#3, and 1st string B3.
This tuning is common in modern metal, metalcore, djent, and progressive rock where players want the weight of a 7-string-style low A without switching instruments. The low A string gives riffs a huge foundation, while the upper strings keep familiar guitar shapes available.
Drop A asks more from your setup than Drop D or Drop C. Standard strings will feel loose, intonation can drift, and the low string may buzz unless you use heavier gauges, tune carefully, and give the guitar time to settle.
Drop A is also written as AEADF#B tuning because the open strings run A-E-A-D-F#-B from lowest to highest. It is different from 7-string Drop A, which usually adds a high E string and uses A-E-A-D-G-B-E.
Use this page when you need a Drop A guitar tuner with exact AEADF#B notes, note frequencies, string gauges, low-A setup tips, power-chord shapes, and 7-string Drop A comparison.
Target tuning
A-E-A-D-F#-B
Drop A guitar tuning notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
From standard
EADGBE to AEADF#B
Lower every string, then drop the 6th string to A for one-finger power chords.
Best for
Low A riffs
7-string-style rhythm parts, A5 power chords, modern metalcore, djent, and progressive metal.
Drop A Tuning Notes (AEADF#B)
From lowest to highest: A1-E2-A2-D3-F#3-B3
6th string (low A)
55.00 Hz
Low A, the root note for Drop A power chords and the string that usually needs the heaviest gauge.
5th string (E)
82.41 Hz
E string, a perfect fifth above the low A and part of the open A5 shape.
4th string (A)
110.00 Hz
A string, one octave above the low A and the third note in the open power chord.
3rd string (D)
146.83 Hz
D string, lowered from standard G and useful for familiar low-register shapes.
2nd string (F#)
185.00 Hz
F# string, lowered from standard B and the note that keeps upper chord shapes in the Drop A layout.
1st string (B)
246.94 Hz
High B string, lowered from standard high E for the top note in 6-string Drop A tuning.
Recommended String Gauges for Drop A Guitar Tuning
Drop A needs a much heavier low string than standard tuning. A set with a .060 or .062 on the bottom string is a practical starting point for 25.5-inch scale guitars. Shorter scale guitars may need even heavier strings or a setup adjustment to keep the low A tight.
Common Chords in Drop A Guitar Tuning
A5 Power Chord
Strum the bottom three strings open for the core Drop A sound.
One-Finger Power Chords
Bar the lowest two or three strings at any fret, just like Drop D or Drop C.
B5 at 2nd Fret
Bar the lowest strings at the 2nd fret for a tight B5 shape.
D5 at 5th Fret
Bar the lowest strings at the 5th fret for a common heavy-riff position.
How to Tune a Guitar to Drop A (A1-E2-A2-D3-F#3-B3)
Select the Drop A preset and lower each string gradually, or start from Drop B and move every string down one whole step.
Tune the 6th string down from E2 to A1. This is very low, so tune slowly and let the string settle before fine-tuning.
Tune the 5th string down from A2 to E2. Compare it with the 6th string: fretting the 6th string at the 7th fret should produce the same note.
Tune the 4th string down from D3 to A2. This should be exactly one octave above the open 6th string.
Tune the 3rd string down from G3 to D3, the 2nd string down from B3 to F#3, and the 1st string down from E4 to B3.
Strum the lowest three strings open. They should form a massive A5 power chord: A-E-A. Recheck the low A after a minute because very low strings often settle slightly flat.
Drop A Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Drop A tuning?
Drop A tuning is A-E-A-D-F#-B from lowest to highest string. The lowest three strings form an A5 power chord: A-E-A.
How do I tune a guitar to Drop A from standard?
From standard E-A-D-G-B-E, tune the strings down to A1, E2, A2, D3, F#3, and B3. Drop A is very low on a 6-string, so work gradually, then recheck the low A after the string settles.
Is Drop A the same as 7-string Drop A?
No. This page is for 6-string Drop A tuning: A-E-A-D-F#-B. 7-string Drop A usually uses A-E-A-D-G-B-E, so the top strings and chord shapes are different.
Can I tune a regular 6-string guitar to Drop A?
Yes, but Drop A is very low for a regular 6-string guitar. Use heavier strings, tune down gradually, and consider a setup or baritone-scale guitar if the low A feels loose or buzzes.
What is Drop A tuning best for?
Drop A is especially useful for tuning Drop A online, using a Drop A guitar tuner, checking A-E-A-D-F#-B 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 Drop A tuning good for beginners?
Drop A is an advanced 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 Drop A tuning?
Drop A is used for a range of alternate-tuning arrangements. Start by practicing simple chord shapes and related tunings before moving to full songs.