Drop D Tuning: How to Tune, Play & Rock in Drop D

Drop D is the gateway alternate tuning - one string changes, and suddenly your guitar sounds heavier, darker, and more powerful than standard tuning ever could. It’s the tuning behind some of the biggest rock and metal songs in history, and it takes about 5 seconds to set up.

If you play rock, metal, punk, or grunge, drop D is essential.

How to Tune to Drop D

From standard tuning (EADGBE), drop ONLY the 6th string down from E to D:

String	Standard	Drop D	Change
6th	E	D	Down 1 whole step
5th	A	A	No change
4th	D	D	No change
3rd	G	G	No change
2nd	B	B	No change
1st	E	E	No change

Quick method: Play your 6th string open, then play your 4th string open (D). Tune the 6th string down until it matches the 4th string - that’s Drop D. They should be exactly one octave apart.

Why Drop D?

1. One-Finger Power Chords

In standard tuning, a power chord needs two or three fingers. In drop D, the bottom three strings at the same fret give you a power chord with just ONE finger barred across them.

Standard tuning E5:          Drop D - D5:
D|---2---|                   D|---0---|
A|---2---|                   A|---0---|
E|---0---|                   D|---0---|

In drop D, laying a finger flat across frets gives you instant power chords that can move anywhere on the neck. This enables extremely fast chord changes and heavy riffing.

2. Heavier Low End

The low D string adds a deeper bass note than standard E. It’s a whole step lower, moving into territory that sounds thick and aggressive - especially with distortion.

3. Open D Bass String

The open 6th string is now D, which works beautifully as a drone note in the key of D or D minor. Many riffs in drop D use the open low D as a rhythmic anchor.

Drop D Chord Shapes

Power Chords (Root on 6th String)

Barre one finger across the bottom three strings:

Fret	Chord
0	D5
1	Eb5
2	E5
3	F5
5	G5
7	A5
8	Bb5
10	C5

Standard Open Chords

Most open chords remain the same - only the 6th string changed. However:

G chord: The 6th string 3rd fret is now G (instead of G in standard - wait, it’s still G in both!). Actually, the 6th string is now open D, so at fret 5 it’s G.
D chord: You can now a strum the open 6th string with D chords - it adds a deep octave root.
Em: The 6th string open is now D, not E. Mute the 6th string for Em, or re-voice the chord.

D Major (Open, Enhanced)

e|---2---|
B|---3---|
G|---2---|
D|---0---|
A|---0---|
D|---0---|  (can now strum all 6 strings!)

The open low D adds massive depth to the D chord.

Iconic Drop D Riffs

”Everlong” – Foo Fighters

Drop D defines this song’s massive, washy sound. The riff uses partial barre shapes with the open D string ringing underneath.

”Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine

Chunky, palm-muted power chords that move rapidly between positions. The one-finger power chord shape makes this possible.

”Heart-Shaped Box” – Nirvana

Kurt Cobain used drop D extensively for the heavy, dark quality. This song alternates between soft arpeggiated sections and crashing power chords.

”Moby Dick” – Led Zeppelin

Bonham’s drums get the attention, but Page’s drop D riff is equally iconic.

”Schism” – Tool

Complex rhythmic patterns over drop D power chords. The one-finger shapes enable rapid transitions.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Power Chord Sprint

Play D5 (open) → F5 (3rd fret) → G5 (5th fret) → A5 (7th fret) at 120 BPM, all with one finger bars. This speed exercise is only possible in drop D.

Exercise 2: Open D Drone Riff

Keep the open low D ringing while playing single notes on the 4th and 5th strings. Create a riff that uses the drone as a rhythmic foundation.

Exercise 3: Palm Muted Chugs

Palm mute the open low D string. Play aggressive eighth-note chugs at 140 BPM. This is pure drop D metal energy.

Common Mistakes

1. Forgetting you’re in drop D when playing regular chords. Anything that uses the 6th string in standard tuning is now wrong - the note has shifted. Be aware of this.

2. Not adjusting back to standard when needed. Some songs require standard tuning. Get fast at switching between the two.

3. Playing power chord shapes from standard tuning. In drop D, the standard two-finger power chord shape on the 6th string plays different intervals.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Use the Tuner in Guitar Wiz to drop your 6th string precisely to D. The chromatic display shows exactly when you’ve hit the target note. Then explore how Drop D changes your chord voicings using the Chord Library - the low D root adds new depth to D-based chords.

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

FAQ

Will drop D damage my guitar?

No. You’re reducing tension on one string, which is actually gentler than standard tuning.

Can I play all my standard tuning songs in drop D?

Only if they don’t use the 6th string. Any chord or riff that uses the 6th string will sound wrong because it’s now D instead of E.

Is drop D the same as open D tuning?

No. Drop D changes only the 6th string (E→D). Open D changes three strings (E-A-D-F#-A-D) to form a D major chord when strummed open.