Mastering D Drop Tuning

"D Drop Tuning - An alternate guitar tuning
style in which the lowest (sixth) string is
tuned down one whole step ..."

To learn this technique, otherwise known as drop d tuning or d open tuning, is very simple indeed.

It is one of my favorite alternate guitar tuning methods.

The sound produced, for example in Tango by Albeniz', just sort of "hits you in the chest" as the rich sound of the lower d note and the resultant overtones produces a wonderful warm feeling throughout your body

(I hope it's not just me

)

How is the d drop tuning achieved on classical guitar? (Or any 6 string guitar for that matter)

The lowest (6th) string is tuned to a "d" one octave below the open d 4th string, rather than the usual "e" as in standard tuning. Yes, this is also a tone below the normal "e" 6th string note.

To obtain an all-round smooth tuning I first tune the 6th "e" down using my 4th "d" string as a guide. I then adjust all the other strings, starting at the top or 1st e string and make sure all the strings are in tune as the d drop tuning has a slightly different feel or effect on the guitar and you need to retune to make sure all the strings are "sympathetic' to the new tuning.

I'm not sure why this is so, or even if I can prove it logically, but I have learnt (felt) it over many years of tuning my instruments.

You can use the following video to help you to tune your guitar to d drop tuning...

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You might also find this Alternate Guitar Tuning guide of some value�

Good luck! I hope this page on d drop guitar tuning has been of help to you.

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