Tunings/Guitar/Whole Step Down (D G C F A D)
Guitar TuningBeginner

Whole Step Down (D G C F A D)

Downtuned tunings lower all six strings by the same interval. Half-step down (Eb tuning) is popular among blues and classic rock players; it reduces string tension slightly and darkens the tone. Full-step down (D standard) is common in metal. The advantage of downtuned over drop tunings is that all your chord shapes remain the same; everything sounds lower.

downtuned6 strings440 Hz

Tuner

Whole Step Down (D G C F A D)6 strings • 440 Hz

Detected

--
Ready to tune

Target

D2

73.4 Hz

Select String

Click to select • Tap play to hear reference tone
1D273 Hz
Play
2G298 Hz
Play
3C3131 Hz
Play
4F3175 Hz
Play
5A3220 Hz
Play
6D4294 Hz
Play

Ready to tune?

Click "Start Listening" and play any string. The tuner will automatically detect which string you're playing and show you how to adjust it.

Note Layout

1String 1
D2
2String 2
G2
3String 3
C3
4String 4
F3
5String 5
A3
6String 6
D4

Notation

D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4

How to Tune

1

Click "Start Listening"

Allow microphone access when prompted.

2

Play Each String

Auto-detect will find the string, or click to select manually.

3

Adjust Until Green

Center the needle and watch for the green "In Tune" indicator.

Tips for Downtuned tunings

Expect looser string tension, consider heavier gauge strings

Chord shapes stay the same, everything sounds lower

Recheck intonation if you tune down significantly

Popular for matching lower vocal ranges

About downtuned tunings

History & context

Eb tuning became a standard for many blues and rock players in the 1960s-70s, with Hendrix and SRV helping popularize the slightly slinkier feel.

Common genres

BluesClassic RockMetalGrunge

Famous artists

Jimi HendrixStevie Ray VaughanGuns N' RosesAlice in Chains

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