Double Drop D tuning (D A D G B D): how to tune and play it

Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn because it’s basically standard tuning… with two small changes.

You tune your guitar to:

D - A - D - G - B - D

That gives you a deep low D for weight and a high D for sparkle. It’s perfect for droning chord shapes, fingerpicking, and parts where you want the guitar to sound “wide” without using fancy chords.

Quick CTA:

• Open the preset: Open the Double Drop D guitar tuner
• Start with Drop D first: Drop D tuning guide
• Explore shapes: Open the Chord Library

Key takeaways (so you don’t overthink it)

• Double Drop D changes only the 6th and 1st strings.
• From standard, you tune E → D on the lowest string and E → D on the highest string.
• The middle strings stay the same: A D G B.
• Open strings create a big, droning sound that works well for folk, rock ballads, and fingerstyle.

What Double Drop D tuning is (and how it differs from Drop D)

Standard tuning is:

E - A - D - G - B - E

Double Drop D is:

D - A - D - G - B - D

Drop D changes only the low string:

D - A - D - G - B - E

So Double Drop D is basically “Drop D + drop the high E to D.”

That top-string change is what creates the shimmering, “open” feel in chords and melodies.

How to tune to Double Drop D with our online tuner (step by step)

Use the preset so your tuner always shows the correct targets:

Open the Double Drop D guitar tuner

1. Start in standard (recommended)

If you’re not sure where you’re starting from, tune to standard first. Then make the two changes.

How to tune a guitar (standard)

2. Allow microphone access

1. Tap Start listening.
2. Allow microphone access.
3. Pluck one string at a time and mute the others.

3. Tune the low E string down to D

1. Play the open 6th string.
2. Loosen it slowly until the tuner reads D.

Go slowly: a whole step is a big move. If you overshoot, go slightly below D and tune back up.

4. Tune the high E string down to D

1. Play the open 1st string (highest).
2. Loosen it slowly until the tuner reads D.

This string is thinner. Small peg turns make a big difference, so use gentle movements.

5. Check the middle strings (A D G B)

Your targets low to high are:

1. D
2. A
3. D
4. G
5. B
6. D

After you adjust the two E strings, the others usually stay close, but it’s worth a quick check.

What it should sound like (quick reality check)

Strum all open strings once.

In Double Drop D, the open chord has a strong “D in the bass” with a bright high D on top. It’s not a clean major or minor chord — it’s more of an open, droning color.

If it sounds harsh or “wobbly,” one of your D strings is probably slightly sharp or flat. Recheck:

• the low D (6th string)
• the high D (1st string)

Easy ways to play in Double Drop D (without theory stress)

Double Drop D rewards simple shapes and steady rhythm.

Here are a few musician-friendly approaches.

1. Use “D drone” shapes (power and folk textures)

A great beginner move is to let the two D strings ring while you change shapes in the middle.

Try this simple D drone shape:

• Fret the 3rd string at the 2nd fret (A note)
• Fret the 2nd string at the 3rd fret (D note)
• Let the low and high strings ring open

If you’re strumming and it sounds too busy, lightly mute the 5th string (A) with your fretting-hand thumb or index finger.

2. Treat the top four strings like “familiar territory”

The top four strings in Double Drop D are:

D - G - B - D

That means you can play lots of comfortable chord fragments and melodies up high while the low D provides a steady foundation.

This is one reason Double Drop D feels great for fingerstyle: your bass note is already “set.”

3. Use a capo for instant brightness

If the tuning feels a little dark, try putting a capo on the 2nd fret and playing the same shapes. It keeps the Double Drop D “feel” but lifts everything.

Capo also makes it easier to match a singer’s range without giving up the open-string drones.

A simple picking pattern to get the sound fast

You don’t need a complicated arrangement. Start with a steady pattern and let the tuning do the work.

Try this on any two or three chord shapes you like:

1. Pick the low D (6th string)
2. Pick the 4th string (D)
3. Pick the 3rd string (G)
4. Pick the 2nd string (B)
5. Pick the high D (1st string)

Keep it slow and even. The goal is a “ringing” sound where you can hear each string clearly.

Want the timing to feel solid? Use the metronome:

Open the Online Metronome

Common mistakes (and quick fixes)

“My high string snapped”

This usually happens when someone turns the peg the wrong way and accidentally tightens the high E before realizing they needed to loosen.

Rule of thumb: you’re tuning E down to D, so the pitch must go down.

“It sounds wrong when I play my normal chords”

In Double Drop D, the open high string is D, not E. That means some chord shapes you’re used to may sound “different” because the top note changed.

Two easy solutions:

• Mute the 1st string when you strum full chords.
• Or lean into it and write parts that let that high D ring (this is the point of the tuning).

“The tuner keeps jumping between notes”

Try:

• plucking one string at a time
• muting the others
• plucking with a lighter, consistent attack
• moving closer to your phone/laptop mic

If you’re in a noisy rehearsal room, turn down other instruments and tune in short bursts.

FAQ: Double Drop D tuning

Is Double Drop D the same as Open D?

No. Open D is:

D - A - D - F# - A - D

Double Drop D keeps G and B in the middle:

D - A - D - G - B - D

Open D gives you a major chord on open strings. Double Drop D gives you a more ambiguous, droning sound.

Do I need special strings?

No. You’re tuning two E strings down to D, which is safe on normal gauges.

If you keep your guitar in Double Drop D for a long time and it feels loose, consider slightly heavier strings for stability.

What songs use Double Drop D?

A lot of players use it for fingerstyle, folk textures, and “open” sounding parts. The best approach is to treat it as a creative tool: tune up, strum, and follow what sounds good.

Can I still use the chord library?

Yes. Start with familiar chord shapes and listen, or use chord fragments on the top strings while letting the D drones ring.

Open the Chord Library

What’s the fastest way to get into this tuning on stage?

Tune the guitar to standard before the set, then:

1. Drop the low E to D
2. Drop the high E to D
3. Quick recheck

With the preset open, it’s a fast change.

Next steps

• Tune now: Open the Double Drop D guitar tuner
• If you haven’t learned Drop D yet: Drop D tuning guide
• Practice the picking pattern with a click: Open the Online Metronome