DADGAD Tuning: Basics & Starter Chords

DADGAD (pronounced “dad-gad”) is one of those tunings that makes you sound incredible with minimal effort. Strum all six strings open and you get a gorgeous, shimmering Dsus4 chord. Press one finger down and you’ve got a full, resonant voicing that would take three fingers in standard tuning.

It’s the tuning of choice for Celtic, folk, and ambient guitarists - but it works beautifully in rock, worship music, and fingerstyle too.

Quick Start

Standard tuning: E A D G B E
DADGAD tuning: D A D G A D

You’re changing three strings:

• 6th string: E → D (down one whole step)
• 2nd string: B → A (down one whole step)
• 1st string: E → D (down one whole step)

Strings 3, 4, and 5 stay exactly the same.

How to tune to DADGAD:

1. Drop your 6th string from E to D - match it to your open 4th string (same note, different octave).
2. Drop your 2nd string from B to A - match it to your open 5th string.
3. Drop your 1st string from E to D - match it to your open 4th string.
4. Double-check by strumming all six strings open. It should sound like a suspended, dreamy D chord.

Why DADGAD Sounds So Good

The open strings spell out D, A, D, G, A, D - the notes of a Dsus4 chord. There’s no major or minor third, which means the tuning is neither major nor minor. This ambiguity is what gives DADGAD its haunting, atmospheric quality.

The open strings ring sympathetically as you play, creating a natural drone effect similar to a sitar or bagpipes. This is why it’s so beloved in Celtic music.

Essential DADGAD Chord Shapes

The beauty of DADGAD is that simple shapes create complex, rich sounds.

Dsus4 (Open)

• 0-0-0-0-0-0
• Just strum all open strings. This is your “home base.”

D Major

• 0-0-0-2-0-0
• Press the 3rd string at the 2nd fret. That adds the F# (the major third of D).

D Minor

• 0-0-0-1-0-0
• Press the 3rd string at the 1st fret for the minor third (F natural). Instant mood shift.

G Major

• 5-0-0-0-0-0
• Press the 6th string at the 5th fret. The open strings become a G chord with a suspended quality.

A Major

• x-0-2-2-0-0
• Simple two-finger shape that rings beautifully.

C Major

• x-3-2-0-0-0
• Clean and clear. Works great as a passing chord.

Em

• 0-2-2-0-0-0
• Rich minor voicing with plenty of open-string resonance.

How to Use DADGAD in Real Music

Celtic / Irish Folk

This is DADGAD’s spiritual home. Players like Pierre Bensusan and Al Petteway built entire careers around this tuning. The drone strings create that distinctive Celtic atmosphere. Try playing melodies on the 3rd and 4th strings while letting the outer strings ring open.

Singer-Songwriter / Folk

Artists like Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page (“Kashmir,” “Black Mountain Side”) and Laurence Juber use DADGAD for its rich harmonic landscape. It’s perfect for accompanying vocals because the sustained open strings fill space without clashing.

Ambient / Worship

The lack of a committed major/minor quality makes DADGAD fantastic for atmospheric pads. Strum slowly, let notes ring, add reverb - instant beauty.

Common Mistakes

1. Using standard tuning chord shapes. DADGAD requires entirely different shapes. Your standard C, G, and F shapes won’t work because three strings are tuned differently.

2. Not muting strings you don’t want. With so many open strings, it’s easy for unwanted notes to ring out. Be intentional about which strings you let ring.

3. Avoiding barre chords. Barre chords in DADGAD are actually simpler than in standard tuning because the tuning lends itself to moveable shapes.

4. Never going back to standard. As cool as DADGAD is, make sure you’re still practicing in standard tuning too. Otherwise your standard chops will get rusty.

Your First 15-Minute DADGAD Session

Minutes 1-3: Tune to DADGAD. Strum all open strings. Get used to the sound. Play individual strings - notice how strings 6, 4, and 1 are all D.

Minutes 4-7: Play D major (0-0-0-2-0-0) and D minor (0-0-0-1-0-0). Switch between them slowly. Listen to how one note changes the entire feel.

Minutes 8-11: Play a simple progression: Dsus4 (open) → G (5-0-0-0-0-0) → A (x-0-2-2-0-0) → Dsus4. Two beats per chord at 60 BPM.

Minutes 12-15: Experiment. Press random frets on the 3rd and 4th strings while keeping everything else open. DADGAD is incredibly forgiving - almost everything sounds cool. Follow your ear.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Switch the Tuner in Guitar Wiz to DADGAD mode and get perfectly in tune in seconds. Then explore the Chord Library - even chords you already know will have fresh, new voicings in DADGAD. The visual diagrams make it easy to pick up the new shapes without memorizing fret numbers.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Guitar Tuner →

FAQ

Will DADGAD damage my guitar or strings?

No. You’re lowering string tension, not increasing it. If anything, it’s gentler on the guitar than standard tuning.

Can I play DADGAD on electric guitar?

Absolutely. It sounds great on electric - especially with reverb, delay, and clean or light overdrive settings.

How is DADGAD different from Drop D?

Drop D only changes the 6th string (E → D). DADGAD changes three strings (6th, 2nd, and 1st). DADGAD creates a completely different harmonic landscape - it’s a true open tuning, whereas Drop D is just a slight modification of standard.