Drop D tuning

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dropped D tuning: DADGBE, also known simply as drop D, is an alternate guitar tuning style in which the lowest (sixth) string is tuned down ("dropped") one whole step (2 frets) to D rather than E as in standard tuning (EADGBE or EADG).

Contents

[edit] Uses of dropped D tuning

The difference of drop D from standard tuning allows for the three bass strings to form a D5 power chord, which can be shifted up or down the fretboard with a single finger (usually the index) to produce any power chord quickly and easily. Drop-D also enables the guitarist to play a step lower than in standard tuning, and many artists value this deeper, fuller sound.

Dropped D tuning is perhaps most widely used in heavy metal or rock music as they take full advantage of the easier power chord transitions needed for extremely fast playing. However, the tuning has also been used in many other types of music, including blues, country, folk, and classical. Most modern metal guitarists use or have used Drop D tuning.

This tuning may be the most prominent alternate tuning in modern rock and metal, but it is not uncommon for these guitarists to play in E-flat tuning/down tuning or dropped C tuning.

Drop D also allows fingerpickers to play chord shapes higher up the neck while maintaining an alternating bass.

[edit] Examples of chords in dropped D tuning

Chords in dropped D tuning are formed as they are in standard tuning, with the exception of the sixth string, which is either omitted or fretted one whole step higher:

Chord Tab
A x02220
Am x02210
B x24442
Bm x24432
C x32010
D 000232
Dm 000231
E 222100
Em 222000
F x03211
F♯ xx4322
F♯m xx4222
G 5x0003

Note that these chords are not the power chords commonly played in drop D tuning. Power chords generally mute the higher notes rather than the lower notes:

For purposes of making the table easier to read, spaces are provided between each number when the fret number becomes a double digit. Additionally, the highest note in any '5' chord is an octave from the root note so it is not necessary to play it to achieve a '5' chord. Some guitarists leave out the top octave when they play the higher chords such as a high G5 (up at the 10th and 12th frets respectively); it's a matter of personal preference.

Chord Tabs
A5 777xxx x022xx
Bb5 888xxx x133xx
B5 999xxx x244xx
C5 10 10 10xxx x355xx
C♯5 11 11 11xxx x466xx
D5 000xxx x577xx
Eb5 111xxx x688xx
E5 222xxx x799xx
F5 333xxx x8 10 10xx
F♯5 444xxx x9 11 11xx
G5 555xxx x10 12 12xx
G♯5 666xxx x11 13 13xx

[edit] External links

[edit] References

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Guitar Tunings
Dropped Tuning
Drop D • Drop D♭ • Drop C • Drop B • Drop B♭
Downtuned
E♭ tuning • D tuning • D♭ tuning • C tuning • B tuning • B♭ tuning
Open