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Tune your Standard Guitar to Double Drop D
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Double Drop D Tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D)
Double Drop D tuning lowers both the 6th string and the 1st string from E to D, while keeping the middle four strings in standard tuning. This creates a rich, droning quality with D notes on both the bass and treble ends of the guitar. This tuning became associated with Neil Young's distinctive acoustic sound and has been used extensively in folk, acoustic rock, and alternative music. The symmetry of having D on both outer strings enables unique fingerpicking patterns and resonant open voicings that aren't possible in standard tuning.
Musical genres
Folk, acoustic rock, alternative, singer-songwriter
Famous songs
- "The Needle and the Damage Done" - Neil Young
- "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young
- "Going to California" - Led Zeppelin
- "Cinnamon Girl" - Neil Young
- "Black Water" - Doobie Brothers
Tips
- Only two strings change from standard tuning, making it easy to switch
- The matching D strings (high and low) create beautiful octave effects
- Great for fingerpicking with droning bass and treble notes
- Works well with a capo for accessing different keys while maintaining the open D drone
Instruments
Tunings
General Tunings
Raised Tunings
Lowered Tunings
Dropped Tunings
Double Dropped Tunings
Major Open Tunings
Minor Open Tunings (Cross-note)
Modal Tunings
Miscellaneous Tunings
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard guitar tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest). This tuning has been the standard for centuries and is used in most guitar music across all genres. The low E string is tuned to E2 (82.41 Hz), and the high E string is tuned to E4 (329.63 Hz).
Click the microphone icon to enable microphone access, then play a single string. The tuner will detect the pitch and show you whether the note is sharp (too high), flat (too low), or in tune. Adjust your tuning peg accordingly until the indicator is centered.
Drop D tuning lowers the 6th (lowest) string from E to D, while keeping all other strings in standard tuning (D-A-D-G-B-E). This is popular in rock and metal music because it allows for easy power chords using a single finger and produces a heavier, lower sound.
Yes! This chromatic tuner works for both acoustic and electric guitars. For electric guitars, you can either use the microphone to pick up sound from your amp, or connect your guitar directly to your computer's audio input for the most accurate results.
Open tunings are alternative guitar tunings where strumming all open strings produces a chord. Popular examples include Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D), used by Keith Richards, and Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D), popular for slide guitar. These tunings are common in blues, folk, and slide guitar playing.
You should tune your guitar every time you play, and check tuning periodically during longer practice sessions. Temperature changes, humidity, and playing can cause strings to go out of tune. New strings especially need frequent retuning until they stretch and settle.
Common reasons include: new strings that haven't stretched yet, changes in temperature or humidity, worn tuning pegs, an improperly set nut or bridge, or old strings. Regular string changes and proper guitar maintenance can help maintain tuning stability.