How to Tune an Electric Guitar to Drop D Flat
Drop tuning for guitars is popular in many kinds of music, particularly metal and alternative rock. While drop D tuning is the most common, drop D flat (Db) tuning is commonly used as well. The objective of drop tuning of any kind is to lower the pitch of the guitar's sixth string so that it matches the pitch of the fourth string. Drop tuning allows different variations of chords, called inversions, and adds to the lower bass register modern guitar music. Drop Db tuning is done exactly like drop D tuning, except the entire guitar must be tuned down one half-step lower than standard tuning.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Locate the Db note on the chromatic pitch pipe, and blow into the labeled hole to sound the Db note. The pitch pipe's Db note will sound one octave higher than the note you're looking for, so a bit of practice with octave tuning is in order. A pitch pipe is recommended to get the guitar pre-tuned, as the lower note registers can be misread on an electronic tuner.
-
2
Turn the guitar's sixth-string tuning key to match one octave lower than the Db pitch pipe note.
-
-
3
Locate the Ab note on the pitch pipe, and blow into the labeled hole to sound the note. The Ab note also will be one octave higher than the target note, as chromatic pitch pipes begin with a standard low A note.
-
4
Turn the guitar's fifth string tuning key to match one octave lower than the Ab pitch pipe note.
-
5
Locate the Db note on the pitch pipe, and blow into the labeled hole to sound the note. This Db, as well as subsequent notes, is in the proper guitar register since they are higher than the the lowest A note.
-
6
Turn the guitar's fourth-string tuning key to match the Db pitch pipe note.
-
7
Locate the Gb note on the pitch pipe and blow into the labeled hole to sound the note. Turn the guitar's third string tuning key to match the Gb pitch pipe note.
-
8
Locate the Bb note on the pitch pipe, and blow into the labeled hole to sound the note. Turn the guitar's second string tuning key to match the Bb pitch pipe note.
-
9
Locate the Eb note on the pitch pipe, and blow into the labeled hole to sound the note. Turn the guitar's first string tuning key to match the Eb pitch pipe note.
-
10
Plug the guitar into the electronic chromatic guitar tuner to double check and fine-tune all strings. The displayed notes will appear as each note is tuned: Notes are listed from low to high (Sixth through first strings): Db, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb.
-
1
