Other Tunings

Drop D

Drop D tuning can be tuned by doing the following.

1. Match the note on the 7th fret of the 6th string with an open 5th string

Drop D tuning is the same as standard notation except that the 6th string is lowered a full step. Because of this, all of the notes are the same except that the 6th string has the same notes as the 4th string, but the 6th string's notes are an octave lower. Many rock musicians like to use this tuning. Some guitars, like Eddie Van Halen's guitar, are equipped with a drop D switch. This switch basically lowers the 6th string to a D (therefore making a drop D tuning) when you use it. Chords for this tuning can be derived from the chords you know in standard tuning. You can do this by moving whatever note is on the 6th string of the chord up 2 frets (a whole step).

Half step down

Tuning to 1/2 step down can be done by lowering all of the strings by a half step. Follow these instructions to tune to this.

1. 1. Match the note on the 6th fret of the 6th string to the open 5th string.
2. 2. Match the note on the open 5th string with the 5th fret of the 6th string.
3. 3. Match the note on the open 4th string with the 5th fret of the 5th string.
4. 4. Match the note on the open 3rd string with the 5th fret of the 4th string.
5. 5. Match the note on the open 2nd string with the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
6. 6. Match the note on the open 1st string with the 5th fret of the 2nd string.

This tuning is widely used. all of the chords in this tuning can be played by simply using the same patterns as in standard tuning but sliding them up one fret. Several musicians like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix use this tuning to get a lower sound. It also takes some tension off of the strings so they are easier to bend. You can derive chords in this tuning by sliding the ones that you know in standard notation up 1 fret (half step).