Guitar Tunings
Standard tuning and nine popular alternate tunings. Each page lists the notes and frequencies, explains how to get there from standard, and has a tuner already set to that tuning.
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E A D G B E
Standard
The default tuning for six-string guitar, used for the vast majority of songs, chord charts and lessons.
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D A D G B E
Drop D
Standard tuning with the low E lowered a whole step to D — heavier riffs and one-finger power chords.
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E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭
Half Step Down (E♭)
Every string lowered one semitone — slinkier strings and a darker tone, loved by blues and rock players.
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D G C F A D
Full Step Down (D Standard)
All six strings lowered a whole step — D G C F A D — for a big, heavy sound with familiar chord shapes.
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C G C F A D
Drop C
D standard with the low string dropped another whole step to C — the heavy sound of modern rock and metal.
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D A D G A D
DADGAD
An open, ringing modal tuning from Celtic and folk music that also made its way into rock.
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D G D G B D
Open G
Strum the open strings and you hear a G major chord — the classic sound of slide guitar and Stones riffs.
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D A D F♯ A D
Open D
The open strings form a D major chord — full, resonant and ideal for slide and fingerstyle folk.
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E B E G♯ B E
Open E
An E major chord on the open strings — a bright slide-guitar tone, with some strings tuned up instead of down.
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C G C G C E
Open C
A low, rich C major chord on the open strings — a deep, piano-like tuning for fingerstyle and ambient playing.
What is an alternate tuning?
Any tuning other than standard (E A D G B E) is called an alternate tuning. Some lower one string to extend the low end (Drop D, Drop C); some lower every string to sound heavier or suit a singer (half step down, D standard); and open tunings make the open strings sound a full chord, which is ideal for slide guitar (Open G, Open D, Open E, Open C).
Changing tuning changes the tension on the neck, so after switching, give the strings a minute to settle and check them once more.