Full Step Down Tuning Online
This full step down guitar tuner is preset for whole step down / D Standard tuning (DGCFAD). Tune D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4 from low D to high D, one whole step below standard.
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Popular Songs in Full Step Down
Practice these carefully selected songs to get familiar with Full Step Down tuning. Each song showcases different techniques and chord progressions possible with this tuning.
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2
4
Spoiled
Basement
Full step down tuning creates a heavier, more aggressive sound.
Aquasun
Basement
Simple but effective use of full step down tuning in indie rock context.
Brother's Keeper
Basement
Melodic alternative rock showcasing full step down's tonal qualities.
Bad Apple
Basement
Complex arrangement in full step down with intricate guitar interplay.
Next to Nothing
Superheaven
Full step down creates massive, heavy sound with crushing low end.
Poor Aileen
Superheaven
Simple but effective full step down progression with emotional depth.
Why These Songs Work Well in Full Step Down
These songs were specifically chosen because they take advantage of Full Step Down 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 Full Step Down for their music. Practice these songs to develop your ear for this tuning and discover new playing techniques.
Start Here in Full Step Down
Aquasun
Basement
Poor Aileen
Superheaven
Practice Tips for Full Step Down
- 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 Full Step Down and standard tuning
- Experiment with the open strings to discover new chord voicings
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Learn Full Step Down After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Full Step Down useful.
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate guitar tuning.
9
Filter the song list by difficulty and genre once you are tuned.
full step down tuning, whole step down tuning, one step down tuning, DGCFAD tuning notes
First practice targets
Related guides
About Full Step Down Guitar Tuning (DGCFAD)
Full Step Down guitar tuning, also called DGCFAD tuning, lowers every string by one whole step from standard to D-G-C-F-A-D. It is also called whole step down tuning, one step down tuning, or D Standard because the guitar keeps standard tuning intervals while every familiar shape sounds two frets lower.
Use this full step down guitar tuner online as a DGCFAD note check: 6th string D2, 5th string G2, 4th string C3, 3rd string F3, 2nd string A3, and 1st string D4.
This tuning is useful when standard tuning feels too bright or too high for the vocal range of a song. Rock, metal, grunge, and singer-songwriter players use it to get a darker, warmer sound without relearning the fretboard.
The trade-off is string tension. Standard .009 or .010 sets can feel loose after a whole-step drop, especially on the low D. Slightly heavier strings help chords stay in tune, palm-muted riffs stay tight, and open strings ring without buzzing.
Use this page when you need a full step down guitar tuner with exact DGCFAD notes, note frequencies, D standard comparison, songs, chord shapes, and string gauge guidance.
Full Step Down Tuning Notes (DGCFAD)
From lowest to highest: D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4
6th string (low D)
73.42 Hz
Low D, one whole step below standard low E and the foundation of full step down tuning.
5th string (G)
98.00 Hz
G string, one whole step below standard A while keeping the same standard-tuning interval pattern.
4th string (C)
130.81 Hz
C string, one whole step below standard D and a lower root option for familiar chord shapes.
3rd string (F)
174.61 Hz
F string, one whole step below standard G.
2nd string (A)
220.00 Hz
A string, one whole step below standard B.
1st string (high D)
293.66 Hz
High D, one whole step below standard high E and two octaves above the low D.
Recommended String Gauges for Full Step Down Guitar Tuning
A slightly heavier set keeps Full Step Down tuning from feeling floppy. Electric players often start with .011-.050, while heavier rhythm players may prefer .012-.052. Acoustic guitars usually feel best with light-medium or medium strings when tuned down one whole step to D-G-C-F-A-D.
Common Chords in Full Step Down Guitar Tuning
All Standard Shapes
Every standard chord shape works the same way. An E shape sounds as D, a G shape sounds as F, and a C shape sounds as Bb.
D5 with E Shape
Use the familiar open E power chord shape, but it now sounds as a deep D5.
F Major with G Shape
Play a normal G major shape and it sounds as F major, which is useful when transposing songs for a lower vocal range.
Power Chords
Standard power chord shapes keep their spacing but sound darker and lower across the neck.
How to Tune a Guitar One Full Step Down (D2-G2-C3-F3-A3-D4)
Select the Full Step Down preset and start from standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E.
Tune the 6th string down from E2 to D2. This becomes your low D foundation.
Tune the 5th string down from A2 to G2.
Tune the 4th string down from D3 to C3.
Tune the 3rd string down from G3 to F3.
Tune the 2nd string down from B3 to A3 and the 1st string down from E4 to D4.
Strum the open strings as D-G-C-F-A-D (DGCFAD), then recheck all six strings after the neck tension settles.
Full Step Down Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
Is Full Step Down tuning the same as DGCFAD tuning?
Yes. DGCFAD tuning is the compact written form of full step down tuning: D-G-C-F-A-D from lowest to highest string, or D2, G2, C3, F3, A3, and D4 with exact octaves.
What notes are in Full Step Down tuning?
Full Step Down tuning is D-G-C-F-A-D from lowest to highest string. With exact octaves, the notes are D2, G2, C3, F3, A3, and D4.
How do I tune a guitar one full step down?
Start from standard tuning and lower every string by one whole step: E to D, A to G, D to C, G to F, B to A, and high E to D. The final tuning is D-G-C-F-A-D.
Is Full Step Down the same as whole step down tuning?
Yes. Full Step Down, whole step down tuning, and one step down tuning all mean lowering every string by two semitones from standard tuning to D-G-C-F-A-D.
Is Full Step Down the same as D Standard?
Yes. Full Step Down and D Standard both use D-G-C-F-A-D. Full step down describes how far you move from standard tuning, while D Standard describes the resulting pitch center.
Is Full Step Down the same as Drop D?
No. Full Step Down lowers every string to D-G-C-F-A-D. Drop D only lowers the 6th string and keeps the other strings at A-D-G-B-E.
Do I need different strings for Full Step Down tuning?
Many players start with .011-.050 or .012-.052 for Full Step Down tuning. If the low D feels loose, buzzes, or wobbles sharp after picking, move up a gauge.
What is Full Step Down tuning best for?
Full Step Down is especially useful for full step down tuning, whole step down tuning, one step down tuning. 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 Full Step Down tuning good for beginners?
Full Step Down 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 Full Step Down tuning?
Popular examples in Full Step Down include Spoiled by Basement, Aquasun by Basement, Brother's Keeper by Basement. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.