Drop E Tuning
This Drop E guitar tuner is preset for 6-string EBEAC#F# tuning. Tune E1-B1-E2-A2-C#3-F#3 from low E1 to high F# for bass-range guitar riffs.
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Learn Drop E After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to E1-B1-E2-A2-C#3-F#3, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Drop E useful.
Advanced
Best approached as a advanced guitar tuning.
0
Start with chord shapes and related tunings while the song list grows.
Drop E tuning, Drop E tuner, Drop E tuning guitar, E1-B1-E2-A2-C#3-F#3 notes
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 libraryRelated guides
About Drop E Tuning
Drop E tuning, also written EBEAC#F# tuning, is E-B-E-A-C#-F# on 6-string guitar. It is one of the lowest practical guitar tunings, with low E1 matching the standard low E of a bass guitar and the lowest three strings forming an E5 power chord.
This tuning sits one whole step below Drop F# and two whole steps below Drop G. It is used for extremely heavy modern metal, doom, djent, and experimental low-register guitar parts where the guitar overlaps with bass range.
Drop E is demanding on normal 6-string guitars. A longer baritone or multiscale instrument, very heavy strings, careful intonation, and a clean setup make a major difference. On a short-scale guitar, the low E can feel loose, buzz, or sound closer to a bass than a clear guitar note.
Drop E Tuning Notes
From lowest to highest: E1-B1-E2-A2-C#3-F#3
6th string
41.20 Hz
Low E, the same pitch as a standard bass guitar's lowest string and the root of the open power chord.
5th string
61.74 Hz
B, the fifth above the low E and part of the open E5 shape.
4th string
82.41 Hz
E, one octave above the lowest string and the same pitch as standard guitar low E.
3rd string
110.00 Hz
A, keeping the upper-string layout in familiar standard-style intervals.
2nd string
138.59 Hz
C#, the major-third interval used in standard-tuning chord shapes.
1st string
185.00 Hz
F#, the highest string in Drop E tuning.
Recommended String Gauges for Drop E
Drop E usually needs a very heavy low string and a setup that can intonate at bass-range pitch. A .074 or .080 low string is a realistic starting point, and many players prefer baritone or multiscale guitars for better tension.
Common Chords in Drop E
E5 Power Chord
Strum the bottom three strings open for the core Drop E sound.
One-Finger Power Chords
Bar the lowest two or three strings at any fret for movable power chords.
F#5 at 2nd Fret
Bar the lowest strings at the 2nd fret for a tight F#5 shape.
A5 at 5th Fret
Bar the lowest strings at the 5th fret for a heavy low-register metal position.
How to Tune to Drop E (E1-B1-E2-A2-C#3-F#3)
Start from Drop F# and lower every string by one whole step, or start from Drop G and lower every string by two whole steps.
Tune the 6th string down to E1. This is bass range, so tune slowly and listen for pitch wobble after hard picking.
Tune the 5th string down to B1.
Tune the 4th string down to E2, one octave above the lowest string.
Tune the 3rd string to A2, the 2nd string to C#3, and the 1st string to F#3.
Strum the lowest three strings open and listen for an E5 power chord: E-B-E.
Retune after a few minutes of playing. Drop E changes neck tension significantly, and the low string often needs time to settle.
Drop E Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Drop E tuning?
Drop E tuning is E-B-E-A-C#-F# from lowest to highest string. The lowest three strings form an E5 power chord: E-B-E.
Is Drop E the same as EBEAC#F# tuning?
Yes. EBEAC#F# is a compact way to write the same Drop E notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
Is Drop E the same as E standard tuning?
No. Standard guitar tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E with low E at E2. Drop E is E1-B1-E2-A2-C#3-F#3, an octave-lower drop-style tuning with the 6th string in bass range.
Can I tune a regular 6-string guitar to Drop E?
Yes, but Drop E is difficult on a regular 6-string. It works best with very heavy strings, careful setup, and often a baritone or multiscale guitar to keep the low E1 tight and intonated.
What string gauge works best for Drop E?
Many players start around .014-.074 or .015-.080 for Drop E. Shorter-scale guitars may need even heavier tension, and some players prefer a dedicated baritone or extended-range instrument.
What is Drop E tuning best for?
Drop E is especially useful for Drop E tuning, Drop E tuner, Drop E tuning guitar. 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 E tuning good for beginners?
Drop E 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 E tuning?
Drop E is used for a range of alternate-tuning arrangements. Start by practicing simple chord shapes and related tunings before moving to full songs.