| Drop
D Tuning
by Andy Webber
Drop
D tuning is as follows: D A D G B E. The only difference
between drop D and normal tuning is that the low
E string is tuned down two frets to D.
"Why
would you wnat to do that?" You might ask?
Well, if you look carefully you will notice that
the bottom three strings are tuned to D A D. This
is the same interval used for a power chord.Therefore
you can play a power chord in drop D tuning simply
by placing one finger over all three strings. Lazy
or what?!
This
tuning sounds a lot heavier than standard tuning,
and allows power chord riffs to be played at a faster
speed than they would normally.
The
video shows an easy way to tune to drop D. In standard
tuning the 5th fret on the low E string should be
the same note as the open A string. This is called
relative tuning. In drop D, the 7th fret should
be the same as the open A string. So to quickly
tune to drop D, turn the machinehead on the E string
so that it is about 2 frets below what it was, and
then use the relative tuning method to fine tune
it. I do this in the video. Note how I drop the
note too far initially and then bring it back up
by using relative tuning.
Failing
that, use an electronic tuner.
We sell these for a reasonable price in our shop.
Once
you are in drop D tuning, have a play around with
the new power chord shape. Notice how it is really
easy to come up with heavy riffs.
There
is one thing to watch out for of course - don't
try to play things that use standard tuning if it
includes the low E string! It will be in the wrong
key as you have just transposed your guitar into
D.
Andy
Webber.
Intermediate
lessons - All lessons
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