Drop B Tuning Online
This Drop B guitar tuner is preset for 6-string BF#BEG#C# tuning. Lower the strings gradually, then tune B-F#-B-E-G#-C# from low to high.
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Popular Songs in Drop B
Practice these carefully selected songs to get familiar with Drop B tuning. Each song showcases different techniques and chord progressions possible with this tuning.
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Davidian
Machine Head
One of the definitive Drop B songs. Heavy palm-muted riffs that defined groove metal.
Halo
Machine Head
Crushing Drop B riffing with melodic passages and dynamic song structure.
Composure
August Burns Red
Technical metalcore featuring complex Drop B riffs with breakdowns and melodic sections.
White Washed
August Burns Red
Fast-paced Drop B metalcore with intricate guitar work and time signature changes.
Carrion
Parkway Drive
Anthemic metalcore track with massive Drop B chorus riffs and breakdowns.
Idols and Anchors
Parkway Drive
High-energy Drop B with technical lead work over heavy rhythm sections.
Why These Songs Work Well in Drop B
These songs were specifically chosen because they take advantage of Drop B tuning's unique characteristics. Whether it's the open chord voicings, easier fingering patterns, or the distinctive sound that this tuning provides, each song demonstrates why many guitarists choose Drop B for their music. Practice these songs to develop your ear for this tuning and discover new playing techniques.
Practice Tips for Drop B
- Start with the beginner-level songs to get comfortable with the tuning
- Focus on how chord shapes differ from standard tuning
- Listen to the original recordings to understand the intended sound
- Practice transitioning between Drop B and standard tuning
- Experiment with the open strings to discover new chord voicings
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Learn Drop B After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to B1-F#2-B2-E3-G#3-C#4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Drop B useful.
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate guitar tuning.
12
Filter the song list by difficulty and genre once you are tuned.
tuning Drop B online, using a Drop B guitar tuner, checking B-F#-B-E-G#-C# notes, 6-string metal riffs
First practice targets
Davidian
Machine Head
Halo
Machine Head
Composure
August Burns Red
About Drop B Guitar Tuning (BF#BEG#C#)
Drop B tuning for 6-string guitar (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#) lowers all strings one and a half steps from standard, then drops the lowest string an additional whole step. This creates an extremely heavy, aggressive tone that has become a staple in modern metal, metalcore, and djent.
Use this Drop B tuning online page as a BF#BEG#C# note check: 6th string B1, 5th string F#2, 4th string B2, 3rd string E3, 2nd string G#3, and 1st string C#4.
The tuning gained widespread popularity in the mid-1990s through bands like Machine Head, whose album "Burn My Eyes" used Drop B extensively. Since then, it has become the default tuning for many metalcore and progressive metal bands including Parkway Drive, August Burns Red, and Architects.
Drop B maintains the same intervallic relationship as Drop D — the lowest string is a perfect fifth below the second string — which means all your power chord shapes from Drop D still work. You just get a much heavier, lower sound. The trade-off is that standard gauge strings (.009-.042) will feel very loose, so heavier strings are essential.
Drop B is also written as BF#BEG#C# tuning because the open strings run B-F#-B-E-G#-C# from lowest to highest. It is not the same as B Standard tuning, which uses B-E-A-D-F#-B and keeps standard tuning intervals.
Use this page when you need a Drop B guitar tuner with exact BF#BEG#C# notes, note frequencies, string gauges, songs, power-chord shapes, and B Standard comparison.
Target tuning
B-F#-B-E-G#-C#
Drop B guitar tuning notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
From standard
EADGBE to BF#BEG#C#
Lower every string, then drop the 6th string to B for one-finger power chords.
Best for
Metalcore riffs
Low B palm-mutes, B5 power chords, djent rhythm parts, and heavy breakdowns.
Drop B Tuning Notes (BF#BEG#C#)
From lowest to highest: B1-F#2-B2-E3-G#3-C#4
6th string (low B)
61.74 Hz
Low B, the root note for one-finger Drop B power chords and the string most likely to need a heavier gauge.
5th string (F#)
92.50 Hz
F# string, a perfect fifth above the low B and part of the open B5 shape.
4th string (B)
123.47 Hz
B string, one octave above the low B and the third note in the open power chord.
3rd string (E)
164.81 Hz
E string, lowered one and a half steps from standard G.
2nd string (G#)
207.65 Hz
G# string, lowered one and a half steps from standard B.
1st string (C#)
277.18 Hz
High C# string, lowered one and a half steps from standard high E.
Recommended String Gauges for Drop B Guitar Tuning
Heavier gauges are essential for Drop B to maintain proper string tension and prevent fret buzz. A set like 12-16-24-32-42-56 is a good starting point. If you find the low B still feels too loose, try a .058 or .060 for the sixth string. Some players use a dedicated baritone set.
Common Chords in Drop B Guitar Tuning
B5 Power Chord
Open 6th, 5th, and 4th strings. The easiest power chord in Drop B — just strum the bottom three strings open.
One-Finger Power Chords
Bar the bottom two or three strings at any fret. Just like Drop D, you can play power chords with a single finger across the lowest strings.
C#5
Bar the 6th and 5th strings at the 2nd fret. Slide this shape anywhere on the neck for instant power chords.
E5
Bar the 6th and 5th strings at the 5th fret. A common position in many metalcore and djent riffs.
How to Tune a Guitar to Drop B (B1-F#2-B2-E3-G#3-C#4)
Select the Drop B preset and start from standard tuning or C# Standard if you already use it. Tune down gradually so the low strings have time to settle.
Tune the 6th string down from E2 to B1. This is a significant drop, so lower the pitch steadily and let the string settle.
Tune the 5th string down from A2 to F#2. 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 B2. This should be exactly one octave above the open 6th string.
Tune the 3rd string down from G3 to E3, the 2nd string down from B3 to G#3, and the 1st string down from E4 to C#4.
Double-check by strumming the open strings. They should form a B5 power chord (B-F#-B) on the bottom three strings. Recheck the low B after a minute because heavy lowered strings often settle slightly flat.
Drop B Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What are the notes for Drop B tuning?
Drop B tuning is B-F#-B-E-G#-C# from lowest to highest string. The lowest three strings form a B5 power chord: B-F#-B.
How do I tune a guitar to Drop B from standard?
From standard E-A-D-G-B-E, tune the strings down to B1, F#2, B2, E3, G#3, and C#4. Work gradually, then recheck the low B because it often settles flat after a few minutes.
Is Drop B the same as B Standard tuning?
No. Drop B is B-F#-B-E-G#-C# and keeps the one-finger power chord layout of Drop D. B Standard is B-E-A-D-F#-B and keeps standard tuning intervals at a much lower pitch.
Is Drop B the same as Open B tuning?
No. Drop B is B-F#-B-E-G#-C# for heavy drop-tuned riffs. Open B is B-F#-B-F#-B-D# and forms a B major chord when all open strings ring together.
Can I tune a regular 6-string guitar to Drop B?
Yes, but Drop B works best with heavier strings and a setup that can handle the low B. Many players start around .012-.056 or use a heavier low string such as .058 or .060.
What notes are in Drop B tuning?
Drop B tuning uses B1-F#2-B2-E3-G#3-C#4 from lowest to highest string on guitar. Tune each string to those target notes, then double-check the low strings because they can drift after the neck tension changes.
What is Drop B tuning best for?
Drop B is especially useful for tuning Drop B online, using a Drop B guitar tuner, checking B-F#-B-E-G#-C# 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 B tuning good for beginners?
Drop B 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 Drop B tuning?
Popular examples in Drop B include Davidian by Machine Head, Halo by Machine Head, Composure by August Burns Red. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.