Guitar Tuning Drop D and Double Drop-D

The six-string guitar is classically tuned to the so-called Spanish tuning, in which 4 open strings out of six constitute an E minor consonance, that is, a chord with the sounds of E (E), G (G) and B (B). The whole tuning has the following form of a sound set, if you start with the sixth - thickest - string: EADGBE... The fifth string is tuned to the sound of A (A), and the fourth string is tuned to D (D). Thus, between the open 6th and 1st strings, emitting the E notes of the major and first octaves, respectively, the sound range is 2 octaves.

It is not uncommon for the standard tuning of a six-string guitar to be changed either to a lower or, conversely, high. Non-standard lowered settings include Drop D and Double Drop-D guitar tunings.

The tuning of any stringed musical instrument, including a guitar, means the standard tuning of all its open strings to a certain frequency of vibration (note). The standard tuning of a six-string guitar is EADGBE.

In a guitar tuning called Drop D, the sixth string is changed. It drops 1 tone into a large octave Re (D) sound.... All others remain in the classic setting. The tuning scheme takes on a slightly different form: DADGBE.

Lowering the pitch of sounds is either a forced action of the guitarist, or his personal initiative in order to make the instrument more "heavy" sound, relevant when playing rock melodies or accompaniment (especially on an electric guitar). Examples of forced restructuring in lower case:

• performance of compositions written by composers for this particular guitar tuning;
• the need to fit into the range of the original piece when processing it for guitar;
• in cases where it is more convenient to play power chords on an electric guitar.

Here is the location of some fifth chords on the guitar fretboard in Drop D tuning:

Guitar Tuning Double Drop-D (double Drop D) implies dropping by 1 tone not only the sixth, but also the first string. In this case, the setup looks like this: DADGBD... The sound of the instrument becomes even "heavier" than with Drop D, which is why this tuning is very common among guitarists of hard rock bands.

There are other drop tuning guitars. The most common of these is Drop C, in which the 6th string is lowered 2 tones from the classical tuning, and all the others - by 1 tone: CGCFAD... But in this case, it is necessary to change the set of the string accessory to a thicker gauge, otherwise beating against metal saddles and deterioration of the sound quality in general is possible. Basically, this tuning is done on acoustic guitars with metal strings and electric guitars, the owners of which practice playing rock in different styles. And if the guitar has a set of "eight" or "nine", then it is better to put "ten" at least.

For the considered Drop D and Double Drop-D tunings, in which the 6th and 1st strings are lowered by only 1 tone, replacing the standard set in most cases will not be required.... It is considered acceptable to decrease or increase the pitch within one tone. This action will not cause any damage to the guitar or sound.

But if the guitarist uses a thin set (up to a "nine"), then with a Double Drop-D tuning, it will be more expedient to replace the first string with either the corresponding element from the "ten" set, or put another second string from the same set (that is, "eights" or "nines") in place of the first. Its tension from the standard (B of a small octave) to the note of D of the first octave will be 1.5 tones, which is fully compensated by the simultaneous weakening of the tension of the sixth string from the sound of Mi to D of a large octave. Even for the neck of a classical guitar, such a restructuring will not create anything serious.

As for tuning the guitar in Drop D or Double Drop-D tuning, this is not difficult even for a beginner if he has a guitar tuner. Even if the tuner's function only affects the standard tuning of the guitar, then the tuning algorithm for Drop D is as follows:

1. all strings are tuned to the classic mode: EADGBE;
2. then the sixth string should be weakened and, clamping it at the II fret, by twisting the corresponding peg, rebuild it to the sound E (Mi), which for an open string will be equal to the note Pe (D).

If you need to get a Double Drop-D tuning for the sixth string, the actions correspond to the previous ones. And the first string is tuned to the D note of the first octave as follows (from the standard tuning):

1. the first string is weakened by a couple of revolutions of the tuning peg;
2. the second string is pressed at the 3rd fret;
3. by twisting the peg of the first string, they achieve the same sound with the second string, pressed at the 3rd fret (at this fret, the second string sounds with the D note of the first octave).

As you can see, the first string with the tuner tuned to the standard has to be re-tuned by ear along the second string. For a beginner, this can be a daunting task, so it is better for him to stock up on a chromatic tuner, which even automatically captures the true sound. It is necessary to tune according to the designations adopted in a particular tuner model, which is indicated in the instructions for its use. Note designations are unchanged:

• C - Before;
• D - Re;
• E - Mi;
• F - Fa;
• G - Salt;
• A - A;
• B - C.

The corresponding designations of the alteration signs are added to the altered sounds:

• sharp (raising a clear sound by a semitone) - # (C #, D #, and so on);
• flat (lowering the pure sound by a semitone) - b (for example, Eb, Bb).

The octaves on the tuner monitors are often denoted with Arabic numerals. The following numbers are relevant for the guitar:

• large octave - 2 (for example, the sixth open string is indicated on the tuner monitor as E2);
• minor octave - 3 (the second open string is designated B3);
• the first octave is 4 (the first open string is E4).

If there are no tuners at hand and no programs on a PC or smartphone, then you can tune the guitar for any other tuned musical instrument: piano, button accordion, trumpet, another guitar... However, this requires a well-developed hearing and tuning experience. For a completely newbie, such a process may turn out to be an impossible task at all, therefore, setting up the tool should be given attention in training first. And not only by electronic means, but also by ear.

A standard guitar string system has the following sounding in notes:

• №6 (the thickest) - E of the big octave (further b. O.);
• No. 5 - La b. O.;
• № 4 - D of small octave (m. O.);
• No. 3 - Salt m. ​​O .;
• No. 2 - Si m. O .;
• №1 (thinnest) - E of the first octave.

And in the described settings (Drop D and Double Drop-D), the sixth string sounds like a D of a large octave, and the first string sounds like a D of the first octave. At the same time, the true sound of the guitar is one octave lower than that recorded in the musical text. This should always be remembered.