Drop D tuning is a gateway to a heavier, deeper sound on your guitar, and it’s surprisingly easy to learn. Favored across rock, metal, and even some blues genres, Drop D tuning unlocks new sonic territories and simplifies playing powerful riffs and chords. Whether you’re just starting your guitar journey or you’re an experienced player looking to expand your tonal palette, understanding and utilizing Drop D tuning is a valuable skill. It offers a quick way to add depth and power to your playing, opening up access to a range of songs and techniques.
What is Drop D Tuning on Guitar?
Alternate tunings have been a part of guitar music for centuries, evolving alongside the instrument itself. Historically, variations in string numbers and tunings were common. Today, while standard six-string guitars are the norm, the spirit of sonic exploration continues with alternate tunings like Drop D. These tunings provide fresh ways to voice chords and create unique harmonies, inspiring countless musicians to push creative boundaries.
Standard guitar tuning, starting from the thickest (lowest pitched) string to the thinnest (highest pitched), is:
- E (6th string)
- A (5th string)
- D (4th string)
- G (3rd string)
- B (2nd string)
- E (1st string)
Drop D tuning is a simple alteration of standard tuning. It involves lowering the pitch of only the lowest string (the 6th string, or low E string) down a whole step, to the note D. This results in the following tuning:
- D (6th string)
- A (5th string)
- D (4th string)
- G (3rd string)
- B (2nd string)
- E (1st string)
Notice that only the lowest E string has been changed. The rest of the strings remain in standard tuning. This single change makes a significant difference in the guitar’s sound and playability.
How to Tune Your Guitar to Drop D
Tuning your guitar to Drop D is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
- Start with Standard Tuning: Ensure your guitar is in standard EADGBE tuning before you begin.
- Focus on the Low E String: Pluck your lowest string (the thickest one). This is your low E string.
- Tune Down to D: To lower the pitch, turn the tuning peg for the low E string towards you. Pluck the string intermittently as you turn the peg, listening carefully to the pitch.
- Use a Tuner (Recommended): The easiest way to tune accurately is to use an electronic tuner. Fender offers free online guitar tuners for both electric guitars and acoustic guitars. You can also find tuner apps for your smartphone. Select “D” on the tuner and tune your low E string down until the tuner indicates you’ve reached the correct D note.
- Tune by Ear (Alternative Method): If you don’t have a tuner handy, you can tune by ear. Pluck your open D string (the 4th string). Now, tune your low E string down until it sounds like the same note, but an octave lower than the open D string. Listen for the interval between the two strings to match.
Once you’ve tuned the low E string down to D, your guitar is in Drop D tuning! Double-check the tuning to ensure accuracy before you start playing.
Why Should You Learn Drop D Tuning? Benefits of Drop D
Drop D tuning is popular for several compelling reasons:
- Extended Lower Range: Tuning down the low E string to D extends the guitar’s bass range. This lower register adds depth and weight to your playing, making it particularly useful for heavier styles of music. It can also be beneficial for vocalists who sing in lower keys, allowing the guitar to comfortably accompany lower vocal melodies.
- Simplified Power Chords: Drop D tuning makes playing power chords incredibly easy, especially on the lower strings. In standard tuning, power chords typically require two or three fingers. In Drop D, you can play many power chords with just one finger across the bottom three strings. This is because the root and fifth of the chord (the defining notes of a power chord) are now conveniently located on adjacent strings.
- Fuller Sounding Chords: In Drop D, certain chords can sound fuller and richer. For example, playing a D chord shape but strumming all six strings results in a big, resonant D chord that utilizes the open low D string.
Let’s illustrate this with the D chord:
- D Chord in Standard Tuning: In standard tuning, a common D chord voicing requires fretting three strings and strumming only four strings to avoid unwanted notes.
- D Chord in Drop D Tuning: Using the same D chord finger shape as in standard tuning, but in Drop D, you can strum all six strings. This creates a fuller, more powerful D chord due to the open low D string ringing out.
Power chords are also greatly simplified:
- D Power Chord in Standard Tuning: Requires at least two fingers to fret the root and fifth notes.
- D Power Chord in Drop D Tuning: Can be played with just one finger barring across the top three strings at the desired fret. You can even play an open D power chord by simply strumming the open bottom three strings (D-A-D). This creates a thick, heavy sound with minimal effort.
Drop D Tuning Across Music Genres
Drop D tuning’s versatility makes it suitable for various musical styles. However, it’s most prominently featured in rock and metal genres.
Drop D Tuning in Alternative Rock
Alternative rock bands frequently utilize Drop D tuning to achieve a heavier, more melancholic sound. Nirvana, a defining band of the alternative rock movement, famously used Drop D tuning in almost all of their songs. Tracks like “All Apologies” exemplify the brooding and intense atmosphere that Drop D can create, contributing to the genre’s signature blend of raw emotion and introspective themes.
Foo Fighters, formed by Nirvana’s drummer Dave Grohl, also adopted Drop D tuning early in their career. Their hit song “Everlong” showcases the driving power chord riffs that are easily achieved in Drop D, demonstrating its continued relevance in alternative rock.
Drop D Tuning in Metal Music
Drop D tuning is practically a staple in metal music, ranging from classic metal bands to modern subgenres. Its ability to produce thick, low-end power chords and riffs makes it ideal for the genre’s aggressive and heavy sound.
From 1980s metal icons like Van Halen and British metal pioneers Judas Priest to contemporary metal acts, Drop D remains a go-to tuning. Hatebreed’s “Honor Never Dies” exemplifies how Drop D enhances the heaviness of power chords and breakdowns in metalcore. Avenged Sevenfold’s “Hail to the King” demonstrates Drop D’s capacity to create both melodic and crushing sounds, layering fast riffs over a foundation of powerful low-end chords.
Potential Drawbacks of Drop D Tuning
While Drop D tuning offers numerous advantages, it’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks:
- Scale Pattern Adjustments: Standard guitar tuning is based largely on intervals of fourths, which creates consistent patterns for scales and arpeggios across the fretboard. Dropping the low E string to D disrupts this pattern in the lower register. The interval between the 5th (A) and 6th (D) strings becomes a fifth instead of a fourth. This means scale patterns you know in standard tuning will need to be adjusted when using Drop D, particularly when playing in the lower frets on the 6th and 5th strings.
- Genre Limitations: While Drop D excels in rock and metal, it might not be the best choice for all genres. The inherently darker, bass-heavy tone of Drop D may not be ideal for brighter, more delicate genres like pop, folk, or certain styles of jazz where a more balanced or trebly guitar tone is desired. The suitability of Drop D really depends on the overall sonic aesthetic you’re aiming for.
Conclusion: Expand Your Guitar Skills with Drop D Tuning
Exploring alternate tunings like Drop D is a fantastic way to broaden your guitar playing skills and musical creativity. Drop D is relatively easy to learn and immediately offers tangible benefits, from a richer, deeper tone to simplified power chords and riffs. While it may require some adjustments to your scale patterns and isn’t universally suited for every genre, the advantages of Drop D tuning, especially for rock and metal styles, are undeniable.
Experimenting with Drop D tuning can open up new musical avenues and inspire you to write songs and riffs you might not have otherwise discovered in standard tuning. As you become more comfortable with Drop D, you can also explore related tunings like Open D or Open A for even more sonic possibilities. With consistent practice and an open mind, you’ll develop a better ear for different tunings and expand your overall guitar playing proficiency. Consider exploring resources like Fender Play for guided lessons and further exploration of alternate tunings and guitar techniques.
