Alternate guitar tunings
Changing a few strings opens new chord shapes, drones and a deeper range. These are the tunings players use most, all built into the guitar tuner.
| Tuning | Strings | Frequencies (Hz, A4 = 440) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 | 82.41 · 110.00 · 146.83 · 196.00 · 246.94 · 329.63 |
| Drop D | D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 | 73.42 · 110.00 · 146.83 · 196.00 · 246.94 · 329.63 |
| D standard | D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 | 73.42 · 98.00 · 130.81 · 174.61 · 220.00 · 293.66 |
| Half step down | D♯2 G♯2 C♯3 F♯3 A♯3 D♯4 | 77.78 · 103.83 · 138.59 · 185.00 · 233.08 · 311.13 |
| DADGAD | D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4 | 73.42 · 110.00 · 146.83 · 196.00 · 220.00 · 293.66 |
| Open D | D2 A2 D3 F♯3 A3 D4 | 73.42 · 110.00 · 146.83 · 185.00 · 220.00 · 293.66 |
| Open G | D2 G2 D3 G3 B3 D4 | 73.42 · 98.00 · 146.83 · 196.00 · 246.94 · 293.66 |
| Open E | E2 B2 E3 G♯3 B3 E4 | 82.41 · 123.47 · 164.81 · 207.65 · 246.94 · 329.63 |
| Open C | C2 G2 C3 G3 C4 E4 | 65.41 · 98.00 · 130.81 · 196.00 · 261.63 · 329.63 |
What they are good for
- Drop D: lower the 6th string a whole step. Power chords with one finger, a deep D for riffs and folk drones.
- D standard and half step down: everything a step or a half step lower, for heavier sound, easier bends, or to suit a singer.
- DADGAD: open, modal and ringing; a favourite for Celtic music and fingerstyle.
- Open G: strummed open it is a G major chord; slide guitar and many blues and rock classics.
- Open D and open E: also major chords when open; slide and folk.
- Open C: wide and resonant, with a low C.
Getting there
Choose the tuning in the tuner's list: it shows the target note of each string and lights the one you play. Lowering strings is gentle on them; raising (as for open E) adds tension, so go slowly and do not go above the notes shown.