In this guitar lesson, you will learn how the Drop D tuning works and what you need to do to tune your guitar this way.

Drop D Tuning

Drop D is one of the simplest and most popular alternate tunings for guitar. It’s widely used in rock, metal, blues, and even folk music because it gives you a heavier, deeper sound on the low end and makes playing power chords lightning fast.

When your guitar is in Drop D you can easily form a power chord by barring your finger across the fattest 3 strings of any fret. This can be shifted around rather quickly up and down the fretboard always forming a power chord.

The only difference in Drop D from Standard is the fattest string is tuned down a whole tone to a D rather than an E. Learn from these instructions and you’ll always be able to switch into Drop D on the fly:

  • The 6th (fattest) string is tuned down a whole step from E to D.
  • The other five strings remain in Standard (A, D, G, B, e).

So your tuning will look like this:
D – A – D – G – B – e

Why Use Drop D Tuning?

  • Quick Power Chords: By barring one finger across the top three strings, you instantly get a power chord. Perfect for fast riffs.
  • Heavier Sound: The lower D note adds depth and weight, which is why many rock and metal bands love it.
  • Easy Riffs and Licks: Certain iconic riffs (think Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Metallica) are built around Drop D.
  • Songwriting Inspiration: Switching to Drop D can spark creativity because chord shapes and riffs feel different.

How to Tune to Drop D

  1. Start in Standard Tuning (E – A – D – G – B – e).
  2. Focus on your low E string (the 6th string).
  3. Play the open D string (4th string) and tune your low E string down until it matches one octave lower.
  4. Alternatively, use a tuner: simply lower the pitch of your 6th string from E to D.

💡 Pro tip: Always tune down to the note, not up. If you go too far, retune by loosening past the note and then carefully bringing it back up. This helps your guitar stay in tune.

Songs to Try in Drop D

Here are some iconic riffs and songs that sound amazing in Drop D:

  • Everlong – Foo Fighters
  • Killing in the Name – Rage Against the Machine
  • Slither – Velvet Revolver
  • Heart-Shaped Box – Nirvana
  • Moby Dick – Led Zeppelin (riff sections)

Try these out to get the feel of the tuning — you’ll notice how much easier power chords and heavy riffs become.

Going Further

Drop D is just the beginning! Once you’re comfortable, you can explore related tunings like Double Drop D (tuning the high e down to D as well) or Drop C (lowering everything a whole step further).

  • Double Drop D (D – A – D – G – B – D) for open-sounding chords.
  • Drop C (C – G – C – F – A – D) for even heavier, lower tones (great for metal).

Exploring alternate tunings is one of the best ways to grow as a guitarist and discover your unique sound.

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  • ✅ The ability to learn real songs in different tunings like Drop D, Double Drop D, and more.
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