How to Tune a Full Step Down from Standard Guitar Tuning

Tune down a full step to experiment with your guitar.

While standard tuning remains the most popular, some music requires guitarists to tune their guitars differently. Changing the tuning makes some chords easier to play, although others impossible, and alters the range of notes available. One full step down, also called D tuning, allows guitarists to play music by Children Of Bodom, Death, Decrepit Birth, Dream Theater and Kreator. Any instrument requires accurate tuning to sound good so it helps to know how to tune correctly, and to use a guitar tuner if possible. Sound quality also improves when using strings suited to the tuning.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar tuner

Instructions

1. Tune the guitar strings to D G C F A D, starting with the lowest and thickest string and ending with the highest. Use a guitar tuner, if you have one.

2. Tune the low D to sound like your third highest string in standard tuning by plucking the strings together, if you don't have a guitar tuner. The sound will have the same tone, but will be an octave lower.

3. Tune the rest of the strings in the same way as you would for standard tuning. The second string should sound the same as the fifth fret on the D string. Tune all the strings to the fifth fret of the string before, except the second to last string. Tune this A to the fourth fret of the previous string.

4. Reconfirm that the first string is in tune with the rest of the strings. Make adjustments, as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a guitar tuner but have a piano or keyboard, use this instead and tune all the strings to the notes of the piano.

• Use an online tuner to tune your guitar (see Resources). You can tune to the desired notes or tune to a full step down.

• If you intend to keep your guitar tuned differently from standard tuning for a lengthened period of time, it benefits to use strings designed for the particular tuning. Consult a professional for other adjustments to avoid strain on your guitar, if you plan to keep the guitar tuned down more permanently.

References

• How to Tune a Guitar: Tuning a Guitar Down a Full Step

Resources

• How to Tune a Guitar: Guitar Tuner