| Alternate Tuning Guide |
| Drop D Tuning |
Tuning Tips
- Tune your sixth string down a tone to D. Check the tuning with the fourth (D) string.
Tab of Songs in This Tuning...
Optimistic - This Radiohead track from 2000's Kid A uses all open strings, including the lowered sixth, to great effect.
Higher - This Creed song in the key of D takes advantage of the detuned open sixth string to make the guitar sound very big and full.
Moby Dick - This Led Zeppelin tune is based on a single note riff that uses the lowered sixth string in drop D tuning.
Heart Shaped Box - One of the many tunes written by Nirvana (and dozens of other grunge bands) that use drop D tuning.
Spoonman - This Soundgarden tune illustrates how you can use one finger to play power chords in drop D tuning.
Other Resources
Chords in Drop D - Dansm's guitar site offers explanations on how to play many common chords in drop D tuning.
Drop D Lesson - A simple page that explains a little more about drop D tuning, and provides audio for a riff to play in drop D.
