Drop D tuning
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Drop D tuning is an alternative form of
Uses
In drop D, the three open bass strings form a D5
The tuning allows for chords with a root or bass note of D to be played with a D an octave lower than with standard tuning. It also allows the playing of open D chords that include the fifth and sixth strings, letting the full sonority of the guitar be heard. This can be especially useful for songs in the keys of D major or minor and is particularly effective on acoustic guitar. Drop D also allows
The trade-off is the loss of the open bass E note in chords or fingerings, which the player can adjust to include fretting the sixth string at the second fret (now E).[dubious ]
In rock and metal
Although the drop D tuning was introduced and developed by classical guitarists and lutists such as English renaissance composer John Dowland, drop D tuning is mostly known from its usage in contemporary heavy metal and hard rock bands. One of the earliest uses of drop D tuning was by English composer John Dowland during the renaissance.[2] Early hard rock songs tuned in drop D include The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick", both first released in 1969.[3] Tuning the lowest string one tone down, from E to D, allowed these musicians to acquire a heavier and darker sound than in standard tuning. Without needing to tune all strings (standard D tuning), they could tune just one, in order to lower the key. Drop D is also a convenient tuning, because it expands the scale of an instrument by two semitones: D and D♯.
In the mid 1980s, three
Nu metal bands including
Chords in drop D tuning
Chords in drop D tuning are formed as they are in standard tuning, with the exception of the sixth string, which is either omitted or fretted one whole step higher:
Chord | Tab |
---|---|
A | x02220
|
Am | x02210
|
B | x24442
|
Bm | x24432
|
C | x32010
|
D | 000232
|
Dm | 000231
|
E | 222100
|
Em | 222000
|
F | 333211
|
F♯ | 444322
|
F♯m | 444222
|
G | 520033
|
Note that these chords are not the power chords commonly played in drop D tuning. Power chords generally mute the higher notes rather than the lower notes.
For purposes of making the table easier to read, spaces are provided between each number when the fret number becomes a double digit. Additionally, the highest note in any 5th chord is an octave from the root note so it is not necessary to play it to achieve a 5th chord.
Chord | Tabs | |
---|---|---|
A5 | 777xxx
|
x022xx
|
B♭5 | 888xxx
|
x133xx
|
B5 | 999xxx
|
x244xx
|
C5 | 10 10 10xxx
|
x355xx
|
C♯5 | 11 11 11xxx
|
x466xx
|
D5 | 000xxx
|
x577xx
|
E♭5 | 111xxx
|
x688xx
|
E5 | 222xxx
|
x799xx
|
F5 | 333xxx
|
x8 10 10xx
|
F♯5 | 444xxx
|
x9 11 11xx
|
G5 | 555xxx
|
x10 12 12xx
|
G♯5 | 666xxx
|
x11 13 13xx
|
Relation to other tunings
Drop D tuning is the most basic type of "drop 1" tuning, where the 6th string is tuned down a
References
- ^ "How to tune to Drop D." Justinguitar.com. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "What is Drop D tuning for acoustic guitar? – Guitar Reviewed". guitarreviewed.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ^ Ben Long. "Drop D Tuning". Archived from the original on 10 November 2017.
- ^ Teraz Rock (November 2010). "Soundgarden Na 12 Stronach!". Archived from the original on 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
- ^ MrHardguitar (13 April 2012). "What Is Drop D Tuning Guitar Lesson (how to Tune Guitar to Drop D Tutorial)". YouTube.
- ^ Tolinski, Brad (September 1994). "Heavy Mental - Interview". Blue Cricket Media.
- ^ "Guitar Teacher guide". 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
External links
- Drop D Tuning - Song Examples
- Tyrannosaurus X - Guitar Player's Vincent DeMasi interviews Ty Tabor about dropped tunings
- Online Tuners for Drop D, C and B - Drop tuning audio references
- Ultimate-Guitar - Drop D-Tuning and Basic Chords
- Music Stackexchange - Why Is Dropped D Tuning Used So Often?