Drop tunings
A drop tuning lowers string 6 a whole step further than the other strings, so the bottom three strings form a power chord you can play with one finger.
All drop tunings
| Guitar tunings | Notes |
|---|---|
| Drop D | D A D G B E |
| Drop C♯ | C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯ |
| Drop C | C G C F A D |
| Drop B | B F♯ B E G♯ C♯ |
| Double Drop D | D A D G B D |
How drop tunings work
In standard tuning, string 6 is a fourth below string 5. Dropping string 6 two semitones makes that gap a fifth, so strings 6, 5 and 4 at the same fret play root, fifth and octave: a power chord under one finger. The low open string also gives a deep root under every chord in the tuning's home key.
Each drop tuning keeps that layout and changes the starting pitch. Drop D lowers only string 6. Drop C is drop D moved down a whole step, and drop B is drop D moved down three semitones, so a riff learned in one works unchanged in the others. Double drop D also lowers string 1 to D, adding a high drone for folk and acoustic parts.
Choosing a drop tuning
Start with drop D: it changes one string, needs no new strings and takes seconds to reach from standard. Choose double drop D when you want open strings droning above and below a melody in D or G. Move to drop C or drop B when you want a heavier, lower riffing sound, or when a singer needs the key lower.
If you want lower chords with standard shapes rather than one-finger power chords, the lowered standard tunings fit better: half step down, whole step down and C standard.
Strings and setup for drop tunings
Drop D and double drop D work on any standard set. Drop C feels loose on 10s, and 11–52 or 11–54 is a common choice on a 25.5 inch scale. Drop B usually needs 12–56 or 13–62, or a baritone guitar whose longer scale keeps the low B tight.
Heavier strings can bind in nut slots cut for lighter ones, and large changes in tension move neck relief and intonation. If you change gauge or settle into a low drop tuning, plan a setup. Guitars with floating tremolos need the springs rebalanced, because lowering strings lets the springs pull the bridge back.
When you retune, large drops can confuse automatic string detection. Turn Detect String off and tap the peg you are tuning, then finish with the final recheck pass. The tuning changer shows which strings move and by how much, and changing tunings safely covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is a drop tuning?
A tuning in which string 6 is a fifth below string 5 instead of a fourth. That turns the bottom three strings into a one-finger power chord and adds a low root.
Which drop tuning should I learn first?
Drop D. It changes one string by two semitones, and every shape you know on strings 5 to 1 still works.
Do drop tunings damage the guitar?
No. They lower tension. The usual problems, buzzing and unstable pitch, come from strings that are too light for a low tuning.
What is the difference between drop C and C standard?
Drop C (C G C F A D) keeps the drop layout and one-finger power chords. C standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C) keeps standard intervals, so normal chord shapes work four semitones lower.
Do I need a seven-string or a baritone for drop B?
No. A standard scale guitar with heavy strings works; a baritone or seven-string gives the low B more tension and clarity.
How quickly can I switch between drop tunings?
Drop D and standard are one string apart. Drop C and drop B retune all six strings, and those bigger moves need a final recheck pass because the neck and the other strings shift as tension changes.