42 tunings with step-by-step changes from standard, a mic tuner, reference tones, and a custom tuning builder.
Drop C♯ (drop D♭) tuning is D♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st). Compared with standard tuning, 6 strings change.
Drop D played a semitone lower: half-step down tuning with the 6th string dropped a further whole tone.
The open strings ring F♯6 (with 9 as the lowest note), with the dropped string as a deep root.
| String | Note | Frequency (A = 440 Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (highest) | E♭4 | 311.13 Hz | -1 from E |
| 2nd | B♭3 | 233.08 Hz | -1 from B |
| 3rd | G♭3 | 185.00 Hz | -1 from G |
| 4th | D♭3 | 138.59 Hz | -1 from D |
| 5th | A♭2 | 103.83 Hz | -1 from A |
| 6th (lowest) | D♭2 | 69.30 Hz | -3 from E |
Lay one finger flat across the three lowest strings. At each fret you get a power chord: fret 0 = C♯5, fret 2 = E♭5, fret 3 = E5, fret 5 = F♯5, fret 7 = A♭5.
Strings 1 to 5 are a half step (1 semitone) lower than standard, so your usual shapes still work and sound a half step (1 semitone) lower: a G shape sounds as G♭, a D shape as D♭.
Starting from standard tuning: 6th string down 3 semitones to Db; 5th string down a half step (1 semitone) to Ab; 4th string down a half step (1 semitone) to Db; 3rd string down a half step (1 semitone) to Gb; 2nd string down a half step (1 semitone) to Bb; 1st string down a half step (1 semitone) to Eb. Use the tuner at the top of this page for each changed string.
From the lowest string to the highest: Db2, Ab2, Db3, Gb3, Bb3, Eb4 (Db Ab Db Gb Bb Eb).
Reverse the changes: 6th string up 3 semitones to E; 5th string up a half step (1 semitone) to A; 4th string up a half step (1 semitone) to D; 3rd string up a half step (1 semitone) to G; 2nd string up a half step (1 semitone) to B; 1st string up a half step (1 semitone) to E.
Tuning down a lot makes strings slack, which can buzz. If it does, use a heavier string set or play a little lighter.