Playing in drop B tuning is a fantastic way to explore a dramatically lower sonic landscape on your guitar. Similar to the well-known drop D tuning, drop B involves tuning down your strings, giving your guitar a significantly darker, heavier, and more powerful sound. This guide will walk you through the process of tuning to drop B and introduce you to some songs to get you started in this exciting tuning. So, grab your guitar, and let’s dive in!
What is Drop B Tuning?
Drop B tuning is a favorite among musicians in heavy metal and hard rock genres, celebrated for its ability to deliver a crushing low-end tone. Victor Griffin of the doom metal band Pentagram is often credited with popularizing drop B tuning. However, you don’t need to be a guitar virtuoso to harness the potent sound of this tuning. Drop B tuning is relatively straightforward to learn, and it offers the advantage of playing power chords with just one finger while unlocking a new, deeper range on your guitar.
Drop B tuning essentially means you “drop” your lowest string, the low E string, down two and a half steps to B. It’s important to note that there are a couple of variations of drop B. One version only tunes down the sixth string while keeping the rest in standard tuning.
However, in this guide, we’ll concentrate on the more widely used version of drop B where all six strings are tuned down.
When you first tune to drop B, you might notice some string buzzing due to the decreased string tension. If you plan to use drop B tuning frequently, consider using heavier gauge strings or having your guitar professionally set up for drop B by a luthier.
That said, you can absolutely achieve a great sound in drop B without any extra expense. Even with lighter strings, you can minimize buzzing by adjusting your playing technique and strumming with a lighter touch.
To refresh your memory, standard guitar tuning notes, from the lowest string to the highest, are:
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
In drop B tuning, the lowest string is tuned down two and a half steps to B. All other strings are tuned down one and a half steps from standard tuning. This results in the following notes in drop B tuning, again from lowest to highest string:
- B
- Gb
- B
- E
- Ab
- Db
How to Tune Your Guitar to Drop B: Step-by-Step
Now that you understand the notes in drop B tuning, you’re ready to tune your guitar. Here’s a simple method to get you there:
- Start with your low E string: Pluck your low E string (the thickest string).
- Tune down to B: Turn the tuning peg for the low E string (the top-most tuning peg on most guitars) towards you to lower the pitch. Continue plucking the string as you tune down, aiming for the note B. You’ll be tuning down two and a half steps.
- Fine-tune: It can be helpful to initially tune slightly below the target note and then tune upwards to the correct pitch. This technique can improve tuning stability by adding tension back to the string.
- Tune the remaining strings: Tune all the other strings down one and a half steps from standard tuning to achieve the full drop B tuning as shown in the notes above (Gb, B, E, Ab, Db).
Pro Tip: Utilize a guitar tuner for precision. The Fender Online Guitar Tuner is a great resource for accurately tuning your guitar to drop B and various other alternate tunings. You can access their online tuner for both electric and acoustic guitars, or download their mobile app for convenient tuning on the go. These tools allow you to select drop B tuning and provide real-time feedback as you adjust your tuning pegs.
Why Drop B Tuning is a Game Changer
Tuning your guitar to drop B opens up a world of sonic possibilities. Here are some key advantages:
- Heavier, Darker Sound: Drop B tuning significantly lowers your guitar’s overall range, resulting in a much heavier, darker, and more aggressive tone. This is perfect for genres that demand a powerful low-end presence.
- Drone Effect: The low B string provides a deep, resonant drone that can add a sludgy and ominous quality to your riffs and rhythms. This is especially effective in genres like doom metal and stoner rock.
- Vocal Accompaniment: The lower range of drop B tuning can be incredibly useful when playing with singers who have lower vocal ranges, allowing you to complement their vocals without overpowering them.
- Simplified Power Chords: Drop B tuning makes playing power chords incredibly easy. In standard tuning, power chords typically require two or three fingers. In drop B, you can play a power chord by simply barring one finger across the three lowest strings.
Dive into Drop B: Songs to Learn
There’s a vast catalog of impactful, heavy songs that utilize drop B tuning. Learning songs in drop B is the best way to familiarize yourself with this tuning and its unique sonic character. Here are a couple of songs to get you started:
- “Duality” by Slipknot: This iconic Slipknot track heavily relies on the open sixth string in drop B for its driving and aggressive sound. Listening closely to both guitar parts in “Duality” will give you a solid understanding of how drop B tuning shapes the song’s overall feel and impact.
- “Whispers in the Dark” by Skillet: Skillet’s “Whispers in the Dark” is another excellent example of drop B tuning in action. While the song features a challenging guitar solo, beginner guitarists experimenting with drop B can begin by learning the main riff to get a feel for the tuning.
Keep Exploring with Drop B
Experiment with the heavy sounds you can create with drop B tuning. The more you practice and explore different riffs, chords, and songs in this tuning, the more comfortable and creative you’ll become. By incorporating drop B tuning, along with other alternate tunings, into your playing, you’ll evolve into a more versatile and well-rounded guitarist, capable of tackling a wider spectrum of styles, tones, and genres. To further expand your guitar skills and explore more tunings and techniques, consider checking out Fender Play for structured lessons and guided learning.
