Half Step Down tuning notes and frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | E♭2 | 77.78 Hz |
| 5 | A♭2 | 103.83 Hz |
| 4 | D♭3 | 138.59 Hz |
| 3 | G♭3 | 185.00 Hz |
| 2 | B♭3 | 233.08 Hz |
| 1 | E♭4 | 311.13 Hz |
Sound and genres
Because every string drops by the same amount, the fretboard layout does not change at all. An E shape is now an E♭ chord, an A shape is A♭, and every scale pattern sits in the same place, so you can play anything you know without relearning it.
Players choose it for three reasons: a slightly darker, looser tone; easier bends and vibrato, because each string has about 11 percent less tension; and a key that suits singers who strain at the top of a melody in standard.
- Blues rock
- Hard rock
- Grunge
- Metal
- Classic rock
How to tune to Half Step Down
- Lower each string by one semitone: E to E♭, A to A♭, D to D♭, G to G♭, B to B♭ and E to E♭. This page uses flat names; some tuners show the same pitches as D♯, G♯, C♯, F♯ and A♯.
- Work from string 6 to string 1, going slightly below each target and tightening up to it.
- A semitone is a small move, so automatic string detection usually follows you. If it locks onto the wrong string, turn Detect String off and tap the peg of the string you are tuning.
- On a floating tremolo, expect two or three passes: each string you lower lets the springs pull the bridge back and sharpens the strings you have already tuned.
- Run the final recheck pass in the tune-up checklist. Six strings losing tension together lets the neck shift slightly, and the first strings you tuned will usually have moved a few cents.
Changing from standard tuning
String by string, from standard tuning. Pick a different starting tuning to see its changes, or open the tuning changer.
6 strings change
| String | Change | Semitones | Peg | Tension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E2 → E♭2 | −1 | ↓ Loosen | −11% |
| 5 | A2 → A♭2 | −1 | ↓ Loosen | −11% |
| 4 | D3 → D♭3 | −1 | ↓ Loosen | −11% |
| 3 | G3 → G♭3 | −1 | ↓ Loosen | −11% |
| 2 | B3 → B♭3 | −1 | ↓ Loosen | −11% |
| 1 | E4 → E♭4 | −1 | ↓ Loosen | −11% |
Playing with others in half step down
Tell other musicians you are in E♭, and name chords by their sounding pitch: the E shape is E♭, the A shape is A♭ and the D shape is D♭. Keyboard and bass players need the sounding names, not the shapes you are holding.
To join a group in standard tuning without retuning, put a capo at fret 1. Every string returns to standard pitch and your open shapes sound as written. The reverse does not work: a capo cannot lower a guitar, so a standard-tuned player has to transpose to match you.
Strings and setup for half step down
A 10–46 set tuned down a half step feels noticeably lighter. Many players who stay in E♭ move up half a gauge to 10.5s or a full gauge to 11s to get the familiar feel back while keeping the lower pitch.
A single semitone rarely calls for a setup. If you change gauge, check that the strings sit freely in the nut slots and recheck intonation at fret 12.
Chord shapes in Half Step Down
Songs in Half Step Down
- Sweet Child O' Mine — Guns N' Roses (1987)Source: MusicRadar, 2014
- Welcome to the Jungle — Guns N' Roses (1987)Source: Guitar World, 2020
- Eruption — Van Halen (1978)Source: Guitar.com, 2020
- Pride and Joy — Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1983)Source: Wikipedia
- Couldn't Stand the Weather — Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1984)Source: Guitar World, 2018
- Little Wing — The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)Source: Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
Is half step down the same as E♭ tuning?
Yes. Half step down, E♭ standard and E♭ tuning all mean E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭, low to high.
Do I need to learn new chord shapes?
No. Every shape and scale pattern is the same as in standard; only the chord names change, each one a semitone lower.
How do I play along with musicians in standard tuning?
Put a capo at fret 1. That raises every string back to standard pitch, so your open shapes sound as written.
Should I use heavier strings for half step down?
It is optional. The strings feel slightly looser at the lower pitch; if you stay in E♭ and want the old feel back, go up half a gauge or one gauge.
Why does tuning down a half step make bends easier?
Each string has about 11 percent less tension at the lower pitch, so the same bend takes less force.
Is it bad to switch between standard and half step down often?
No, but every change makes the neck and strings settle again, so do a final recheck pass each time. Players who switch every night often keep a second guitar in E♭.