Double drop D tuning

Double drop D tuning: DADGBD, also known simply as double drop D, is an alternative guitar tuning: E strings are tuned down ("dropped") one whole step (2 frets) to D rather than E as in standard tuning (EADGBE).

Uses of double dropped D tuning

The main use for double dropped d is so guitarists can play 5th chords with one finger on the bass strings, and play the treble side of a barre chord. Some recordings that make effective use of this tuning is "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young,"I Hate California" by Jonathan Coulton and "Sattelite" by Elliott Smith.

Examples of chords in dropped D tuning

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

Note that these chords are not the power chords commonly played in double 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 '5th' chord is an octave from the root note so it is not necessary to play it to achieve a '5th' 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); it's a matter of personal preference.

some examples of the "one fingered barre chords" are shown below. unfortunately, this tuning makes it difficult to play a minor barre cord, because the flat third is one fret behind the finger.