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Topic: Alternative Tunings
Drop D tuning is the next in my alternative tuning series.
Going from standard tuning, simply lower the sixth string a step.
Drop D is perhaps the most common alternative tuning. There are several reasons for this. First it's easy to tune in and out of. It adds a low D bass note that adds richness that's missing in standard tuning. It allows for tonally pleasing fingerstyle playing as well as brutal metal power chords. Some players drop 2 steps all the way down to C to get an even lower note but lighter strings can get quite floppy when you do this.
The scale tones created by this tuning are
| String | Scale Tone |
| 1st | major second |
| 2nd | major sixth |
| 3rd | fourth |
| 4th | root |
| 5th | fifth |
| 6th | root |
As always, my demo starts with the open string strum and I've starting hitting each note individually as well. The first example is a heavy Drop C power chord riff that uses palm muting and strikes the 5th and 6th strings starting with open strings and moving down to the fourth fret and back again. The next sample is a fingerpicked acoustic noodle where I barred the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings at the 5th fret and struck open bass strings. I used variations moving between the 5th and 7th frets on the treble strings to produce a Pink Floyd-ish melody of sorts. The last is also acoustic but a little heavier sounding, maybe kind of a Seattle sound. For it I power chorded on the 4th and 5th strings while striking a palm muted 6th string. I didn't tab everything out when I did it but if you like I'll try to if it would help.
Click Here To Download Drop D Tuning Demo MP3
Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about the Drop D Tuning and I'll try to answer them as best I can.
