Drop D tuning
In drop D tuning the lowest string of the guitar is tuned a whole tone lower, from E to D. The strings then sound D2 – A2 – D3 – G3 – B3 – E4. This puts a D power chord on the three lowest open strings. In classical guitar music this retuning is old; Tárrega’s “Capricho Árabe” in the sheet music archive asks for it with “⑥ = D”.
- Strings
- D2 – A2 – D3 – G3 – B3 – E4
- On the sheet
- “⑥ = D”: sixth string to D
- Advantage
- D power chord on three open strings; low D as a bass note
- In the archive
- Tárrega, Capricho Árabe
One string lower
In drop D tuning five strings of the guitar stay as they are; only the lowest is tuned down by a whole tone, from E to D. This gives the sequence D2 – A2 – D3 – G3 – B3 – E4. It is the most common scordatura on the guitar. In classical guitar music it has been widespread since the works of Carcassi, Aguado and Sor, and in metal on the electric guitar.
The open strings in drop D (sounding)
The lowest string (highlighted) now sounds D instead of E. Between it and the A string there is a fifth instead of a fourth; D3 lies an octave above D2.
D power chord on the three lowest open strings
D2, A2 and D3 together make a power chord, root and fifth with the octave, without stopping any string.
What changes
The low string now lies a fifth below the A string instead of a fourth, and it is an octave lower than the open D string. This makes two things easier: pieces in D major or D minor get a low D as a bass note, and the three lowest open strings give a power chord on D. Everything stopped on the sixth string, on the other hand, lies two frets higher than usual.
| String | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tuning | E2 | A2 | D3 | G3 | B3 | E4 |
| Drop D | D2 | A2 | D3 | G3 | B3 | E4 |
Drop D in the sheet music archive
-
Capricho Árabe Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909), serenade for guitar · guitar · 3 pages
To the left of the first staff is written “⑥ = D”: the sixth string is tuned to D before playing. One flat, time signature 3/4, “Andantino.”, treble clef with a small 8. From bar 9 (“Allegretto.”) low notes below the staff appear again and again in the bass.
Common mistakes
- Fretting the sixth string as usual: In drop D every note there lies two frets higher; E, for example, is at the 2nd fret.
- Retuning the wrong string: It is always the sixth, lowest string that is meant; the D string stays as it is.
- Forgetting to tune back: Pieces without an instruction are written in standard tuning.
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Related terms
ScordaturaGuitarPower chordOpen stringElectric guitarElectric bassStringFingerboard
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 4 October 2026
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