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Alternate Tuning Guide
Drop D Tuning
Listen to MP3 of this 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.

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