How To Play In Drop D Tuning

Drop D tuning and standard tuning are really similar to each other. In fact the only difference is the Low E string is tuned down to the note D. As that one string is the only difference it goes to show that anything you play on the top 5 strings in standard tuning can also be played in drop d tuning because there has been no changes done to those top 5 strings. For the 6th string, changes do have to occur.

Because we have tuned the 6th string 2 semitones down (from E to D) anything you play on that string in standard tuning must be moved up 2 frets to compensate for that change. Remember the low E string was tuned down 2 semitones to D, because of this change the note E has been moved up 2 frets, it is now located on the 2nd fret of the 6th string. Play the 2nd fret of the 6th string in drop d tuning and compare that to other E notes located on the guitar to investigate this.

So you now know that anything you play in standard tuning may be possible in drop d tuning, the only adjustment to be made is to move any fingering on the 6th string up 2 frets to adjust to the new tuning. Most chords in standard tuning don’t transfer well to drop D tuning as it causes some awkward and sometimes impossible fingerings, but I do suggest that you give it a shot because there are some that are useful.

The Power Chord In Drop D Tuning

There is one chord shape that is crucial to know in drop D tuning. In fact it is because this one chord shape and its playability that most guitarists tune to drop D. All you need is one finger to play the shape, any finger will do. Just simply barre your finger across the 3 bottom strings. The following is a chord diagram of the power chord in Drop D tuning and a regular power chord in standard tuning.

Remember that in drop d tuning, you have to move any fingering located on the 6th string up 2 frets to compensate for the new tuning. This is what has has been done with the power chord. Compare the power chord in drop d tuning to the power chord in standard tuning. The note located on the 6th string has been moved up 2 frets.

By tuning the guitar to drop D tuning, you give yourself the advantage of playing a power chord with just one finger. This gives you the ability to play power chords fast one after the other with accuracy. By playing in standard tuning, its hard to move power chords fast with accuracy because the fingering requires 2 or 3 fingers, this causes making fast or large shifts in left hand positioning difficult.

When playing in drop d tuning, you only need one finger to play a power chord. This leaves 3 other fingers to play the next power chord, and because you are simply barreing across 3 strings, fast changes or large shifts in positions are much easier.

Try playing some songs that primarily use power chords. Play them in both standard and drop d tuning. You will quickly find out for youself that songs that require fast changes or large shifts in left hand positioning are much easier to play in drop d tuning. In some cases, especially in songs that were written to be played in drop d tuning, are impossible to play in standard tuning.