Drop D Tuning: Best Songs & How to Use It

What is Drop D Tuning?

Drop D is the most popular alternate tuning in rock and metal. You simply tune your low E string down one whole step to D. This gives you a heavier low end and allows one-finger power chords on the bottom three strings.

Standard: E A D G B E

Drop D: D A D G B E

How to Tune to Drop D

1. Start with your guitar in standard tuning
2. Play the 4th string (D) and the 6th string (E) together
3. Tune the 6th string DOWN until it sounds an octave below the 4th string
4. They should sound like the same note, one octave apart
5. Use a tuner to verify: your 6th string should read "D"

Why Bands Use Drop D

• Heavier sound: The lower D note adds depth and weight.
• One-finger power chords: Barre across the bottom 3 strings for instant power chords.
• Easier riffs: Many heavy riffs are actually simpler in Drop D.
• Extended range: Access notes below standard tuning's low E.

Best Drop D Songs to Learn

Beginner

• "Everlong" - Foo Fighters: Iconic riff using open D string with octave shapes.
• "Killing in the Name" - Rage Against the Machine: Heavy low-D chugs with simple structure.
• "Helmet" - Unsung: The band that pioneered Drop D in alternative metal.

Intermediate

• "Schism" - Tool: Complex rhythms but the riff patterns are very learnable in Drop D.
• "Heart-Shaped Box" - Nirvana: Drop D creates that thick, dark sound Kurt loved.
• "Moby Dick" - Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page's heavy blues riff in Drop D.

Advanced

• "A New Level" - Pantera: Dimebag's Drop D mastery with squeals and dives.
• "Outshined" - Soundgarden: Chris Cornell's heavy drop-tuned riffage.
• "Dream On" - Aerosmith: Uses Drop D for the heavy ending section.

Drop D Power Chord Shapes

The beauty of Drop D: lay one finger across strings 6, 5, and 4 at any fret for an instant power chord. This opens up fast chord changes and heavy chugging that's impossible in standard tuning.

D5:  0-0-0-x-x-x
E5:  2-2-2-x-x-x  
F5:  3-3-3-x-x-x
G5:  5-5-5-x-x-x
A5:  7-7-7-x-x-x