Lesson 28 / 30 6 min

Alternate tunings

Drop D, D standard, Drop C, open G and DADGAD — heavy riffs and new sounds.

Standard tuning isn't the only option. Changing the tuning of one or more strings can make heavy riffs easier, give you new chord voicings or create rich, droning sounds. Use our tuner — it supports all the tunings below.

Drop D (D A D G B E)

Lower only the 6th string one whole step, from E to D. It's the most popular alternate tuning in rock and metal.

The big advantage: power chords on the three lowest strings become a one-finger barre:

In Drop D, open D5 and G5 at the 5th fret: one finger across three strings.

Drop D riff · 110 BPM

e|-----------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------|
D|-0-0-0-0---3---5---0-0-0-0---6-5-3-------|
A|-0-0-0-0---3---5---0-0-0-0---6-5-3-------|
D|-0-0-0-0---3---5---0-0-0-0---6-5-3-------|

Half step down (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭)

Every string a half step lower. The shapes are the same as standard tuning; everything just sounds deeper and the strings feel slightly looser — easier to bend. Very common in classic hard rock and grunge.

D standard (D G C F A D)

Every string a whole step lower. Heavier still, and friendlier to lower voices.

Drop C (C G C F A D)

D standard with the 6th string dropped another whole step. One-finger power chords plus a very heavy low end — a favorite of modern metal and metalcore.

Lower tunings need thicker strings

When you tune down a lot, standard strings get floppy and buzz. For D standard and lower, use a heavier string gauge (for example 11–56 or 12–60) and ideally get the guitar set up.

Open G (D G D G B D)

Strumming the open strings plays a G major chord. A one-finger barre gives you any major chord — great for slide guitar and classic rock rhythm.

Open G: open strings = G major; barre at the 5th fret = C major.

DADGAD (D A D G A D)

Neither major nor minor (it's a Dsus4 chord). DADGAD is loved in Celtic, folk and ambient music for its droning, open sound. Let open strings ring against fretted notes.

In any alternate tuning, use the fretboard explorer to see where the notes and scales move. Pick the tuning and the shapes update automatically.