Guide
Drop D Tuner: the complete guide
By Vivek Badoni, music teacher · Updated
This online Drop D tuner opens with Drop D selected, so the tuner already expects your low string to be D instead of E. Play any string and it shows which one you're on and whether to tune up or down. Only one string changes from standard tuning, so it takes less than a minute.
Drop D tuning: D A D G B E
| String | Standard | Drop D | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (thickest) | E2 | D2 (lower a whole step) | 73.42 Hz |
| 5th | A2 | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 4th | D3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3rd | G3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2nd | B3 | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | E4 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
How to tune to Drop D
- Make sure the other five strings are in standard tuning. Check them with the tuner first.
- Pluck the 6th string and slowly loosen it. The note will fall from E, through E♭, to D.
- Stop when the tuner shows D and turns green. If you go too far, drop a little lower and come back up to D.
- By ear: play the open 4th string (D) together with the 6th string. When they sound like the same note an octave apart, with no wobble, you're there.
Why guitarists love Drop D
- One-finger power chords. The bottom three strings form a D5 power chord when played open; lay one finger across them at any fret for a new power chord.
- A deeper, heavier sound for rock and metal riffs.
- A low D bass note that makes songs in D and D minor sound full, especially in fingerstyle.
To go back to standard tuning, tighten the 6th string until the guitar tuner shows E. Want other sounds? Try Open G, DADGAD or half step down.
