- Double drop D tuning
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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).
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 Girl" by Neil Young,"I Hate California" by Jonathan Coulton and "Sattelite" by Elliott Smith.
Examples of chords in dropped D tuning
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
General Downtuned Dropped Open Others C6 · E9 · G tuning · Ostrich guitar · Stringed instrument tunings
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