Double Drop D tuning
Encyclopedia
Double drop D tuning: DADGBD, also known simply as double drop D, is an alternative guitar tuning
: E strings are tuned down ("dropped") one whole step (2 frets) to D rather than E as in standard tuning
(EADGBE).
" by Neil Young
,"I Hate California" by Jonathan Coulton
and "Sattelite" by Elliott Smith
.
in double dropped D tuning are formed as they are in standard tuning, with the exception of the first and sixth strings, which are either omitted or fretted one whole step higher:
Note that these chords are not the power chords commonly played in double 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. Some guitarists leave out the top octave when they play the higher chords such as a high G5 (up at the 10th and 12th frets); it's a matter of personal preference.
some examples of the "one fingered barre chords" are shown below. unfortunately, this tuning makes it difficult to play a minor barre cord, because the flat third is one fret behind the finger.
Guitar tuning
Guitar tunings almost always refers to the pitch of the open string, though some tunings may only realistically be attained by the use of a capo on an unmodified instrument....
: E strings are tuned down ("dropped") one whole step (2 frets) to D rather than E as in standard tuning
Guitar tuning
Guitar tunings almost always refers to the pitch of the open string, though some tunings may only realistically be attained by the use of a capo on an unmodified instrument....
(EADGBE).
Uses of double dropped D tuning
The main use for double dropped d is so guitarists can play 5th chords with one finger on the bass strings, and play the treble side of a barre chord. Some recordings that make effective use of this tuning is "Cinnamon GirlCinnamon Girl (Neil Young song)
"Cinnamon Girl" is a song by Neil Young. It debuted on the 1969 album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, which was also Young's first album with backing band Crazy Horse...
" by Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
,"I Hate California" by Jonathan Coulton
Jonathan Coulton
Jonathan Coulton is an American singer-songwriter, known for his songs about geek culture and his use of the Internet to draw fans...
and "Sattelite" by Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
.
Examples of chords in dropped D tuning
ChordsChord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
in double dropped D tuning are formed as they are in standard tuning, with the exception of the first and sixth strings, which are either omitted or fretted one whole step higher:
| Chord | Tab |
|---|---|
| A | x02222 |
| Am | x02212 |
| B | x24444 |
| Bm | x24434 |
| C | x32012 |
| D | 000234 |
| Dm | 000233 |
| E | 222102 |
| Em | 222002 |
| F | x03213 |
| F♯ | xx4324 |
| F♯m | xx4224 |
| G | 5x0035 |
Note that these chords are not the power chords commonly played in double 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. Some guitarists leave out the top octave when they play the higher chords such as a high G5 (up at the 10th and 12th frets); it's a matter of personal preference.
| Chord | Tabs | |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 777xxx |
x022xx |
| Bb5 | 888xxx |
x133xx |
| B5 | 999xxx |
x244xx |
| C5 | 10 10 10xxx |
x355xx |
| C♯5 | 11 11 11xxx |
x466xx |
| D5 | 000xxx |
x577xx |
| Eb5 | 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 |
some examples of the "one fingered barre chords" are shown below. unfortunately, this tuning makes it difficult to play a minor barre cord, because the flat third is one fret behind the finger.
| Chord | Tab |
|---|---|
| A | xx2222 |
| B | x24444 |
| C | xx5555 |
| D | 000234 |
| E | xx9999 |
| F | xx10,10,10,10 |
| F♯ | xx11,11,11,11 |
| G | xx12,12,12,12 |