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.

Back to Drop D Tuner

Guitar

Drop D Songs for Guitar

Tuning:

D2A2D3G3B3E4

Explore 27 songs in Drop D tuning for grunge, alternative rock, metal, and folk guitar. Tune D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 first, then compare beginner Drop D songs, heavy one-finger power chords, and advanced rhythm parts.

Beginner Drop D songs

Heart-Shaped Box, All Apologies, and Times Like These

Straightforward Drop D examples for hearing how the low D changes familiar guitar shapes.

Alternative rock riffs

Everlong, Black, Spoonman, and The Pretender

High-search rock songs that show why Drop D is so useful for bigger rhythm guitar parts.

Heavy Drop D practice

Killing in the Name, Schism, and Forty Six & 2

Rhythmic, riff-focused songs for palm muting, syncopation, and low-D power chords.

Showing 27 of 27 songs

AdvancedProgressive Metal1996

Ænema

Tool

Complex Drop D riffing with odd time signatures. Adam Jones' signature heavy tone.

Perfect for drop d practice

BeginnerGrunge1993

All Apologies

Nirvana

From In Utero. Simple Drop D chords with a hypnotic strumming pattern and cello-like drone.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateGrunge1991

Black

Pearl Jam

Beautiful ballad showcasing Drop D's harmonic possibilities.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateAlternative Rock1993

Cherub Rock

The Smashing Pumpkins

Layered Drop D guitars with a soaring chorus. Great for learning dynamic control.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateEmo/Alternative2012

Colossal

Title Fight

Heavy Drop D riffing with emo sensibilities and dynamic shifts.

Perfect for drop d practice

AdvancedShoegaze/Grunge2013

Crawl

Superheaven

Complex Drop D arrangement with intricate layering and effects.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateGrunge1992

Down in a Hole

Alice in Chains

Haunting Drop D ballad with beautiful chord progressions.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateAlternative Rock1997

Everlong

Foo Fighters

Features the iconic Drop D power chord riff. Great for learning palm muting.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateGrunge1994

Fell on Black Days

Soundgarden

Another Soundgarden classic demonstrating Drop D versatility.

Perfect for drop d practice

AdvancedProgressive Metal1996

Forty Six & 2

Tool

One of Tool's most popular songs. Intricate Drop D riff with bass-heavy groove sections.

Perfect for drop d practice

BeginnerGrunge1993

Heart-Shaped Box

Nirvana

Classic grunge song with straightforward Drop D power chords.

Perfect for drop d practice

AdvancedAlternative Metal2000

Judith

A Perfect Circle

Complex Drop D arrangement with intricate picking patterns.

Perfect for drop d practice

AdvancedNu Metal1992

Killing in the Name

Rage Against the Machine

Aggressive Drop D riffing with complex rhythm patterns.

Perfect for drop d practice

BeginnerPost-Grunge2000

Loser

3 Doors Down

Simple Drop D progression great for beginners to practice.

Perfect for drop d practice

BeginnerIndie Rock2014

Moaning Lisa Smile

Wolf Alice

Simple but effective Drop D progression, perfect for beginners.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateAlternative Rock1998

My Hero

Foo Fighters

Energetic Drop D anthem with memorable riff work.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateGrunge1992

Plush

Stone Temple Pilots

Classic '90s grunge hit in Drop D, highly searched for guitar tutorials.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateIndie Rock2017

Sarah

Alex G

Dreamy Drop D indie song with intricate fingerpicking patterns.

Perfect for drop d practice

AdvancedProgressive Metal2001

Schism

Tool

Complex time signatures and rhythmic patterns in Drop D. A technical challenge for any guitarist.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateHard Rock2004

Slither

Velvet Revolver

Slash's return to Drop D with a catchy, groove-driven riff and bluesy lead work.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateGrunge1994

Spoonman

Soundgarden

Showcases Drop D's power for heavy, rhythmic playing.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateIndie Folk2005

The Engine Driver

The Decemberists

The low D bass note drives this melancholic folk song. Great for fingerpicking in Drop D.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateAlternative Rock2007

The Pretender

Foo Fighters

Driving Drop D riff with dynamic verse-chorus structure.

Perfect for drop d practice

BeginnerAlternative Rock2002

Times Like These

Foo Fighters

Popular Drop D song perfect for beginners learning power chords.

Perfect for drop d practice

AdvancedProgressive Metal2006

Vicarious

Tool

Complex polyrhythmic Drop D arrangement with layered guitar textures and dynamic shifts.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateShoegaze/Grunge2015

Youngest Daughter

Superheaven

Heavy Drop D with crushing dynamics and wall-of-sound production.

Perfect for drop d practice

IntermediateAlternative Rock1995

Zero

The Smashing Pumpkins

Aggressive Drop D riff with Billy Corgan's signature fuzz tone and rapid palm muting.

Perfect for drop d practice

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Drop D Songs FAQ

What are popular songs in Drop D tuning?

Popular Drop D songs include Everlong, Black, Heart-Shaped Box, Killing in the Name, Spoonman, The Pretender, All Apologies, Schism, and Forty Six & 2.

What is an easy Drop D song to start with?

Heart-Shaped Box, All Apologies, and Times Like These are good first Drop D songs because the lowered 6th string makes power-chord shapes easier to hear and move.

What notes do I need for Drop D songs?

Tune from low to high as D-A-D-G-B-E. Only the 6th string changes from standard tuning, dropping from E2 to D2.

Ready to tune your guitar to Drop D?

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

Tune to Drop D