Double drop D tuning
Double drop D tuning: DADGBD, also known simply as double drop D, is an alternative guitar tuning: E strings are tuned down ("dropped") one whole step (2 frets) to D rather than E as in standard tuning (EADGBE).
[edit] Uses of double dropped D tuning
The main use for double dropped d is so guitarists can play 5th chords with one finger on the bass strings, and play the treble side of a barre chord. Some recordings that make effective use of this tuning is "Cinnamon Girl" by Neil Young,"I Hate California" by Jonathan Coulton and "Sattelite" by Elliott Smith.
[edit] Examples of chords in dropped D tuning
Chords in double dropped D tuning are formed as they are in standard tuning, with the exception of the first and sixth strings, which are either omitted or fretted one whole step higher:
| Chord | Tab |
|---|---|
| A | x02222 |
| Am | x02212 |
| B | x24444 |
| Bm | x24434 |
| C | x32012 |
| D | 000234 |
| Dm | 000233 |
| E | 222102 |
| Em | 222002 |
| F | x03213 |
| F♯ | xx4324 |
| F♯m | xx4224 |
| G | 5x0035 |
Note that these chords are not the power chords commonly played in double drop D tuning. Power chords generally mute the higher notes rather than the lower notes:
For purposes of making the table easier to read, spaces are provided between each number when the fret number becomes a double digit. Additionally, the highest note in any '5th' chord is an octave from the root note so it is not necessary to play it to achieve a '5th' chord. Some guitarists leave out the top octave when they play the higher chords such as a high G5 (up at the 10th and 12th frets); it's a matter of personal preference.
| Chord | Tabs | |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 777xxx |
x022xx |
| Bb5 | 888xxx |
x133xx |
| B5 | 999xxx |
x244xx |
| C5 | 10 10 10xxx |
x355xx |
| C♯5 | 11 11 11xxx |
x466xx |
| D5 | 000xxx |
x577xx |
| Eb5 | 111xxx |
x688xx |
| E5 | 222xxx |
x799xx |
| F5 | 333xxx |
x8 10 10xx |
| F♯5 | 444xxx |
x9 11 11xx |
| G5 | 555xxx |
x10 12 12xx |
| G♯5 | 666xxx |
x11 13 13xx |
some examples of the "one fingered barre chords" are shown below. unfortunately, this tuning makes it difficult to play a minor barre cord, because the flat third is one fret behind the finger.
| Chord | Tab |
|---|---|
| A | xx2222 |
| B | x24444 |
| C | xx5555 |
| D | 000234 |
| E | xx9999 |
| F | xx10,10,10,10 |
| F♯ | xx11,11,11,11 |
| G | xx12,12,12,12 |
|
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