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Guitar
Drop D Tuning Online
Drop D guitar tuning notes:
D2A2D3G3B3E4
This Drop D guitar tuner is preset to DADGBE tuning. Tune D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 from low D to high E for rock riffs, one-finger power chords, and easy switching from standard tuning.
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Popular Songs in Drop D
Practice these carefully selected songs to get familiar with Drop D tuning. Each song showcases different techniques and chord progressions possible with this tuning.
Songs
27
Beginner
5
Genres
11
IntermediateAlternative Rock1997
Everlong
Foo Fighters
Features the iconic Drop D power chord riff. Great for learning palm muting.
Great for practicing drop d techniques
IntermediateGrunge1991
Black
Pearl Jam
Beautiful ballad showcasing Drop D's harmonic possibilities.
Great for practicing drop d techniques
BeginnerIndie Rock2014
Moaning Lisa Smile
Wolf Alice
Simple but effective Drop D progression, perfect for beginners.
Great for practicing drop d techniques
BeginnerGrunge1993
Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana
Classic grunge song with straightforward Drop D power chords.
Great for practicing drop d techniques
AdvancedNu Metal1992
Killing in the Name
Rage Against the Machine
Aggressive Drop D riffing with complex rhythm patterns.
Great for practicing drop d techniques
IntermediateGrunge1994
Spoonman
Soundgarden
Showcases Drop D's power for heavy, rhythmic playing.
Great for practicing drop d techniques
Why These Songs Work Well in Drop D
These songs were specifically chosen because they take advantage of Drop Dtuning'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 D for their music. Practice these songs to develop your ear for this tuning and discover new playing techniques.
Start Here in Drop D
Moaning Lisa Smile
Wolf Alice
Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana
Loser
3 Doors Down
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Practice Tips for Drop D
- 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 D and standard tuning
- Experiment with the open strings to discover new chord voicings
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Learn Drop D After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Drop D useful.
Difficulty
Beginner
Best approached as a beginner guitar tuning.
Songs
27
Filter the song list by difficulty and genre once you are tuned.
Best for
checking Drop D tuning online, using a Drop D guitar tuner, learning D-A-D-G-B-E tuning notes, one-finger power chord riffs
First practice targets
Moaning Lisa Smile
Wolf Alice
Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana
Loser
3 Doors Down
About Drop D Guitar Tuning (DADGBE)
Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-E) is the simplest and most popular alternate guitar tuning. Only the lowest string changes: tune the 6th string down one whole step from E2 to D2 while the other five strings stay in standard tuning.
Use this Drop D tuner online as a DADGBE note check: 6th string D2, 5th string A2, 4th string D3, 3rd string G3, 2nd string B3, and 1st string E4.
Drop D has been used across nearly every genre of guitar music. Grunge bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden popularized it in the 1990s, but it appears in everything from folk to metal. Foo Fighters built many riffs around Drop D, and it is the tuning behind iconic songs like "Everlong" and "Heart-Shaped Box."
The biggest advantage of Drop D is that power chords on the bottom three strings can be played with a single finger barred across the fret. This makes fast chord changes and heavy riffing much easier while keeping the top four strings identical to standard tuning.
Drop D is also written as DADGBE tuning because the open strings are D-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest. It is not the same as D standard tuning, which lowers every string to D-G-C-F-A-D.
Target tuning
D-A-D-G-B-E
Drop D notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
Change from standard
E2 to D2
Only the low E string moves; A-D-G-B-E stay the same.
Best for
Rock riffs
One-finger power chords, low D drones, and quick standard-to-Drop-D switching.
Drop D Tuning Notes (DADGBE)
From lowest to highest: D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4
6th string
73.42 Hz
Low D, tuned one whole step below standard low E and used as the root for open D5 power chords.
5th string
110.00 Hz
A string, unchanged from standard tuning and a perfect fifth above the low D.
4th string
146.83 Hz
D string, unchanged from standard tuning and one octave above the low D.
3rd string
196.00 Hz
G string, unchanged from standard tuning.
2nd string
246.94 Hz
B string, unchanged from standard tuning.
1st string
329.63 Hz
High E string, unchanged from standard tuning.
Recommended String Gauges for Drop D Guitar Tuning
.010-.046 (standard gauge)
Standard gauge strings work perfectly for Drop D since you're only lowering one string by a whole step. If you frequently switch between Standard and Drop D, standard gauges make the transition seamless. Some players use a slightly heavier 6th string (.048 or .050) for tighter low-end response, especially for hard picking or heavier rhythm parts.
Common Chords in Drop D Guitar Tuning
D5 Power Chord
Strum the bottom three strings open. Instant power chord with zero fingers — the foundation of Drop D playing.
One-Finger Power Chords
Bar the bottom two or three strings at any fret. Slide up and down the neck for easy, heavy chord changes.
Dm (open)
Play the standard Dm shape but let the 6th string ring open. The low D adds a massive bass foundation.
D Major (open)
Standard D chord shape with the open 6th string. Creates a rich, full sound with the doubled root note.
How to Tune a Guitar to Drop D (D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4)
1
Select the Drop D preset and start from standard tuning. Drop D only requires changing one string: tune your 6th (lowest) string down from E2 to D2.
2
The easiest reference: fret the 6th string at the 12th fret — it should sound the same as your open 4th string (both are D, one octave apart).
3
Alternatively, pluck your 4th string (D) and tune the 6th string down until you hear the octave match.
4
The other five strings stay at standard pitch: A-D-G-B-E.
5
Verify by strumming the bottom three strings open — you should hear a full D5 power chord (D-A-D). Recheck the low D after a minute because the string can settle slightly flat.
Drop D Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Drop D tuning?
Drop D tuning uses D-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest string. With exact octaves, the notes are D2, A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4.
How do I tune a guitar to Drop D?
Start from standard tuning and lower only the 6th string from E2 to D2. The 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings stay at A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4.
What is the difference between Drop D and standard tuning?
Standard tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E. Drop D tuning changes only the 6th string from E to D, giving D-A-D-G-B-E while the other five strings stay at standard pitch.
Is Drop D the same as DADGBE tuning?
Yes. Drop D and DADGBE tuning refer to the same open-string notes: D-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest string.
Is Drop D the same as D standard tuning?
No. Drop D is D-A-D-G-B-E and only lowers the 6th string from E to D. D standard is D-G-C-F-A-D and lowers every string by one whole step.
What is Drop D tuning used for?
Drop D tuning is used for rock, grunge, metal, folk, and acoustic songs that need a lower D bass note. It also makes one-finger power chords easy because the lowest three strings form a D5 shape.
Can I use standard strings for Drop D?
Yes. Most guitars handle Drop D well with standard .010-.046 strings because only the lowest string changes. If the low D feels loose, try a slightly heavier 6th string such as .048 or .050.
What is Drop D tuning best for?
Drop D is especially useful for checking Drop D tuning online, using a Drop D guitar tuner, learning D-A-D-G-B-E 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 Drop D tuning good for beginners?
Drop D is a beginner 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 D tuning?
Popular examples in Drop D include Everlong by Foo Fighters, Black by Pearl Jam, Moaning Lisa Smile by Wolf Alice. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.