Drop D Tuner

42 tunings with step-by-step changes from standard, a mic tuner, reference tones, and a custom tuning builder.

Drop D tuning is D A D G B E, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st). Compared with standard tuning, one string changes.

Only the 6th string goes down a whole tone. You get a deep D bass note and one-finger power chords on the lowest three strings, while every other chord shape stays the same.

The open strings ring G6 (with 9 as the lowest note), with the dropped string as a deep root.

Drop D notes and frequencies

String	Note	Frequency (A = 440 Hz)	Change
1st (highest)	E4	329.63 Hz	as standard
2nd	B3	246.94 Hz	as standard
3rd	G3	196.00 Hz	as standard
4th	D3	146.83 Hz	as standard
5th	A2	110.00 Hz	as standard
6th (lowest)	D2	73.42 Hz	-2 from E

How to tune to Drop D from standard

Tune the 6th string down a whole step (2 semitones), from E to D. Check it against the open 4th string: it should be the same note one octave lower.
Strum all the open strings. The low string should ring as a deep root under the rest. If one string sounds sour, check it with the tuner.

What to play in Drop D

One-finger power chords

Lay one finger flat across the three lowest strings. At each fret you get a power chord: fret 0 = D5, fret 2 = E5, fret 3 = F5, fret 5 = G5, fret 7 = A5.

Your usual chord shapes

Strings 1 to 5 are exactly as in standard tuning, so every chord shape you know still works. Just avoid the 6th string, or move its note up two frets.