How to Tune Down a Guitar

This article will show you how to tune your guitar down half a step (Eb tuning), and one full step (D tuning) from the Standard E tuning. Whether you intend to play along with a recording or are working on original or cover songs, these are two fairly standard alternate tunings that most guitarists will want to be familiar with.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Tuning a Half Step Down

1. Put your first finger on the fourth fret of the second (B) string. When you pluck that string, an Eb will sound. Lower the pitch of your first string (high-E) until it matches the Eb sound made by your B string.

2. Now that you have your high-E string tuned to Eb, you can move on to your low-E string. Tune your low-E string down until it matches the pitch of your open high-E string. Once those match, you have both E strings tuned down half a step to Eb, and you can begin tuning the rest of your guitar.

3. Put your first finger on the fifth fret of your low-E string. Tune your open A string down until it matches the sound produced when you pluck the fretted low-E. Your A string is now an Ab.

4. Place your first finger on the fifth fret of your A string. Tune your open D string down until it matches the pitch of your fretted A string. Once they match, your open D string will sound a Db note.

5. Place your first finger on the fourth fret of your D string. Tune your open B string down until it produces the same pitch as your fretted D string. Your B string is now a Bb.

6. Though your final string, the high-E, is already an Eb, you may want to make a minor adjustment so that it is correctly in tune with the rest of your strings. To do this, put your first finger on the fifth fret of your B string. Tune your high-E either up or down to match the pitch produced by your fretted B string.
   
   Your guitar is now tuned a half step down, also known as Eb tuning.

Tuning One Full Step Down

7. Start with your guitar in standard E tuning again. Pluck your D string, and tune the low-E string down, until it matches the pitch of your open D string. Your low-E string is now a D.

8. Put your first finger on the fifth fret of your low-E string. Tune your A string down until it matches the pitch of your fretted low-E string. Your A string will sound a G note when plucked.

9. Put your first finger on the fifth fret of your A string. Tune your D string down until it matches the pitch of your fretted A string. Your D string is now tuned to C.

10. Put your first finger on the fifth fret of your D string. Tune your G string down until it matches the pitch of your fretted D string. Your G string will produce an F when plucked.

11. Put your first finger on the fourth fret of your G string. Tune your B string down until it matches the pitch of your fretted G string. Your B string is now tuned to A.

12. Put your first finger on the fifth fret of your B string. Tune your high-E string down until it matches the pitch of your fretted B string.
    
    Your guitar is now tuned one full step down, also known as D tuning.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to leave your guitar down one full step on a regular basis, it is advisable to have your guitar set up by a professional guitar technician because the nut that holds the string in place and the guitar's neck tension may need to be altered so the strings don't rattle against the fretboard. Some players suggest that using thicker strings when tuning down one full step will help your guitar stay in tune better. This is certainly true with lower tunings like C, but it is not truly necessary when you are only one step down. Some guitarists find it very convenient to keep their guitars tuned down a full step all the time. The reason for this is that it allows them to play down a full step when needed but also to play a half step down and in standard tuning when a capo is placed on the first and second fret respectively.
• When you first tune your strings down, your guitar may fall out of tune fairly quickly. You may need to tune several times before your guitar stays perfectly in tune, particularly if you are using strings that have been tuned to standard E for a while.

References

• The Complete Book of Alternate Tunings; Hanson, Mark; 1995
• An Easy Guide to Tuning Your Guitar-Secrets to Playing and Staying Perfectly in Tune; Traum, Happy; John Sebastian; 2006
• How To Tune A Guitar

Resources

• Alternate Tuning Guide for Contemporary Folk Music