Drop D tuner
Tune to Drop D (D A D G B E) with your microphone, or tap a string to hear its note.
Drop D
Start tuner
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Tap a string to hear it and tune that string.
Drop D is standard tuning with one change: the 6th string goes down a whole step, from E to D. The low D rings an octave under the open 4th string, so riffs get heavier and a power chord on the three lowest strings takes a single finger across one fret.
It is the most common alternate tuning, and the quickest to switch to and back, because five of the six strings never move.
Drop D: notes and frequencies
| String | Note | Pitch | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | D | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| 5 | A | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 4 | D | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3 | G | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2 | B | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1 | E | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
From standard tuning to Drop D
- String 6: lower it from E2 to D2, 2 semitones down.
- String 5: stays at A2.
- String 4: stays at D3.
- String 3: stays at G3.
- String 2: stays at B3.
- String 1: stays at E4.
Lower the 6th string slowly and stop when the marker centers on D. If you go past it, drop below D and come back up, so the string holds its pitch.
Tune to Drop D by ear
Tune string 6 (D2) to a reference first: tap it in the tuner above, or use a piano or another instrument. Then tune each string to one that is already in tune:
- Play string 6 at fret 7, then tune open string 5 until the two sound the same (A2).
- Play string 5 at fret 5, then tune open string 4 until the two sound the same (D3).
- Play string 4 at fret 5, then tune open string 3 until the two sound the same (G3).
- Play string 3 at fret 4, then tune open string 2 until the two sound the same (B3).
- Play string 2 at fret 5, then tune open string 1 until the two sound the same (E4).
Songs in Drop D
A few well-known recordings played in Drop D:
- Everlong, Foo Fighters
- Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine
- Dear Prudence, The Beatles
Learning a song in Drop D?
Record it or upload it, and Tabtify turns it into tab you can play along with. Choose Drop D under Tuning in the converter's options so the frets match your guitar.
Turn a recording into tabDrop D tuner FAQ
What are the notes of Drop D?
From string 6 to string 1: D2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4. With A4 at 440 Hz, that is 73.42 Hz, 110.00 Hz, 146.83 Hz, 196.00 Hz, 246.94 Hz, 329.63 Hz.
Is Drop D the same as D standard?
No. Drop D lowers only the 6th string, to D A D G B E. D standard lowers all six strings a whole step, to D G C F A D.
Do I need new strings for Drop D?
No. One string dropped a whole step keeps plenty of tension on a normal set, and the other five don't change.
How do I play a power chord in Drop D?
Lay one finger flat across the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings at the same fret. Open strings give D5, the 2nd fret E5, the 5th fret G5, and so on.