A lot of guitar players, including myself, are intimidated by alternate tunings. It’s understandable – you finally get comfortable playing in standard then you change tuning and it feels like you’re starting from square one!
I’m here to tell you that alternative tunings are not as scary as they seem at first glance – and to demonstrate this, I’ll show you how to tune and play your guitar in drop D.
Drop D is a great introduction to alternate tunings – it was one of the first ones I ever learned. Whether you’ve never heard of it or just need to get used to it, I’ll guide you through the process of setting up your guitar to take advantage of this epic, bass-heavy tuning!
I’ll show you two different ways to achieve this:
- Tuning your guitar to itself
- Using harmonics
Each of these methods of tuning will get you to the same point. So depending on your level of experience and how your guitar responds to harmonics, be sure to try each one.
Let’s jump in!
Originally published on February 12, 2019, this article was republished on February 6th, 2024.

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Yes, I Want the FREE Download!What Is Drop D Tuning on Guitar?
When tuning your guitar to drop D, the lowest string is tuned down a full step, from the standard tuning E to D. Instead of the standard tuning of EADGBE, drop D tuning reads DADGBE. So by changing the note of one string on your guitar, you can get a completely different, alternative tuning. This type of tuning is great for lower, heavier songs, and also for playing power chords.
Now one of the biggest complaints guitarists make about experimenting with alternate tunings is how hard it is to return to standard tuning.
Which is why I’m happy to tell you that it’s not that difficult.
The beauty of drop D tuning is that you only change one string. Compared to some other alternate tunings like open G or open C, it’s an easy alternate tuning to return from.
It looks like this: D A D G B E.

The only string you change is the low E string — which gets dropped to a low D.
How to Achieve Drop D Tuning
Now that I’ve clarified what it is and why it’s not difficult to get back to standard tuning, I’m going to show you how to tune your guitar to drop D.
1. Use Your Other Strings
One of the easiest ways is to use your open D string. Just to be clear, this method only works if your other strings are perfectly in tune.
If you need a refresher on how to tune your guitar, check out my guide on the first 4 steps to learn guitar where I outline the process.
Now to tune to drop D tuning, start by playing your open D string as the reference. From there, lower the pitch of your low E string (the thickest one) by turning the tuning peg.
You’ll know you’re close to being in drop D tuning when your lowest string sounds the same as your open D string. It will be an octave lower in pitch but have the same note.
If it sounds dissonant, wobbly, or not quite right, try tuning it lower or higher in pitch until you find the perfect low D pitch.
Take your time doing this and don’t crank the tuning pegs too quickly. Not only are you likely to miss the exact pitch you’re looking for, but you run the risk of damaging the string.
For most steel-string guitars, it should only take one full turn of the tuning peg.
2. Use a Harmonic
The last method of getting to drop D tuning involves using harmonics.
It’s a special technique where you lightly touch a string at a specific point while it’s vibrating, producing a bell-like or chime-like sound. This is done by lightly resting a finger on the string without pressing it down to the fretboard.
Harmonics occur naturally on the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets. By lightly touching the string above these frets and plucking it, you create a harmonic tone.
To tune your guitar to drop D using a harmonic:
- Place your finger gently on top of the 7th fret of the low E string.
- Pluck the string.
- While letting the harmonic on the low E string ring, pluck the open A string.
- Using the tuning peg, match the pitch of the harmonic on the low E string with the pitch of the open A string.
- Once you’re finished adjusting the string, play the low E string and the open A string – they should sound the same.
The Positives of Drop D Tuning
Now that we’ve discussed the ins and outs of drop D tuning, let’s look at the why.
Specifically, why is drop D tuning so popular?
Firstly, this kind of tuning is very popular when forming power chords as it gives you an additional two lower notes and allows for a deeper sound.
It also lets guitarists play power chords with a single finger over the same fret, instead of using multiple fingers across multiple frets. This makes playing multiple power chords up and down the neck as easy as moving your index finger.
Drop D tuning also makes it easier for you to play a lower pitch on the guitar. This lower pitch has a different sound and is great for singers who naturally have lower voices.
And finally, drop D tuning is also very versatile for multiple genres of music – from metal to punk to hard rock.
The Negatives of Drop D Tuning
One of the main drawbacks to using an alternate type of tuning is the fact that chords you once knew may now require a different shape.
For example, any chord using the low E will now require a different shape altogether.
Another disadvantage is the fact that drop D tuning doesn’t suit every chord. In fact, you might find that some chords are a lot more difficult in drop D tuning.
However, all of this is not to deter you from playing in drop D, but just to equip you with the knowledge to know the right moments to switch tuning.
Playing in Drop D Tuning
After you tune your guitar to drop D tuning, take some time to explore the newfound range of your guitar.
Some chords will have to change, while others can stay the same. Any chord that uses the top strings (A,C,Bm, etc.) will not need to be altered. Additionally, you can now play a full-bodied D chord using ALL of your strings!
Meanwhile, chords like E minor need to be adjusted. Because your low E string is tuned a whole step down (two frets), you need to compensate for that. As a result, a revised E minor chord uses three fingers to play the chord as shown below.

Drop D Tuning in Alternative Rock
One of the most popular genres for drop D tuning is alternative rock.
Since alternative rock has a deep and heavy sound, this tuning lets you really get low and grungy.
You can hear it used in the following popular songs:
Drop D Tuning in Metal
Another extremely popular genre for drop D tuning is, of course, metal.
While you can go heavier to drop C tuning, drop D is usually sufficient for producing the brutal sound that all metal musicians crave.
To hear drop D tuning applied deftly in a metal context, check out these songs:
- “Walk” by Pantera
- “The Beautiful People” by Marilyn Manson
- “Wake Up” by Rage Against The Machine
- “Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin
Taking Your Playing to the Next Level
Just as there are many different ways to skin a cat, there are many different alternative tunings aside from drop D.
There’s open D tuning, for example, that allows you to play rich D chords by only fretting a couple of strings.
If you’re interested in learning more about the different ways you can play your guitar and express yourself musically, then I recommend checking out my online guitar workshop, Tony’s Acoustic Challenge.
It’s full of daily exercises, in-depth lessons covering a variety of topics, and a robust community of thousands of like-minded guitar players. I designed it specifically to help you improve your guitar playing in as little as 10 minutes a day while having fun at the same time.
Watch the FREE guitar class to learn the three things that will help build a life of consistent guitar playing in just 10 minutes a day.
Thanks Tony. I learned the drop D tunning. You’re God sent. Keep up the good work. I like how make things so simple to understand.
Thanks for the quick intro to drop D tuning!So much easier than I thought!
Hello, buddy I have been watching a lot of your videos and u r very talented… I hope this ain’t a stupid question would you have any idea what tuning method Vince Gill uses when playing lead guitar? Any help would b greatly appreciated.. Thank u buddy