Alternate Guitar Tunings: Drop D, Open G, DADGAD, and Nashville
Standard tuning is only one way to set up a guitar. Alternate tunings change the relationship between the strings, which changes chord shapes, drone notes, bass movement, and the way the instrument responds under your hands.
The hard part is not learning that alternate tunings exist. The hard part is getting into them accurately and knowing what each one is for.
Drop D
Drop D lowers the 6th string from E2 to D2:
| String | Note |
|---|---|
| 6th | D2 |
| 5th | A2 |
| 4th | D3 |
| 3rd | G3 |
| 2nd | B3 |
| 1st | E4 |
It gives you a low D bass note and makes one-finger power chords possible on the lowest three strings. It is common in rock, metal, folk, and fingerstyle guitar.
When tuning to Drop D, retune the low string after it settles. Lowering tension can make the first reading drift as the string and neck relax.
Open G
Open G tunes the open strings to a G major chord:
| String | Note |
|---|---|
| 6th | D2 |
| 5th | G2 |
| 4th | D3 |
| 3rd | G3 |
| 2nd | B3 |
| 1st | D4 |
This tuning is famous for slide guitar, blues, and Keith Richards-style rhythm parts. The open strings already make a chord, so muting and right-hand control matter more than usual.
If you play slide, tune in the playing position and check the strings with the slide pressure you actually use. Too much pressure sends notes sharp.
DADGAD
DADGAD changes standard tuning into a suspended, modal sound:
| String | Note |
|---|---|
| 6th | D2 |
| 5th | A2 |
| 4th | D3 |
| 3rd | G3 |
| 2nd | A3 |
| 1st | D4 |
It is common in Celtic, folk, and modern fingerstyle playing. Because the open tuning is neither major nor minor, it leaves space for melody notes to define the harmony.
DADGAD benefits from careful tuning because the open strings ring against each other constantly. Small errors in the D and A octaves are easy to hear.
Nashville Tuning
Nashville tuning uses the octave strings from a 12-string set on the lower four strings:
| String | Note |
|---|---|
| 6th | E3 |
| 5th | A3 |
| 4th | D4 |
| 3rd | G4 |
| 2nd | B3 |
| 1st | E4 |
It creates a bright, chiming texture that records well when doubled with a standard-tuned guitar. The part can sound thin alone, but it adds shimmer in a mix.
Use the correct string gauges. Do not try to tune normal low strings up an octave.
Tune Slowly and Recheck
Any alternate tuning changes string tension. That means one string can affect the others, especially on lighter instruments or guitars with floating bridges.
Use this sequence:
- Tune each string close to target.
- Go back through the set and fine tune.
- Play a few chords or drones.
- Recheck the strings that moved the most.
With a strobe tuner, you can see whether each string is still drifting after the attack. Wait for the sustained note and tune to that.
Built-In Presets Help
Lumituner includes presets for common guitar tunings, including Standard, Drop D, Open G, DADGAD, and Nashville. Select the tuning first, then tune each string to the correct target instead of doing the mental conversion yourself.
Open Lumituner and choose a tuning from the instrument menu. The strobe target updates for each string so you can focus on the sound instead of the math.
