Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
“What’s the basic difference between Drop D vs Open D tuning?” Both are popular alternate guitar tunings. However, which string notes you alter, and how you play them once you’re done, will give them very different sounds. As a bonus, I’ve also added sections on Double Drop D and DADFAD tuning. Keep reading to learn what they are, and how you play them.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Drop D vs Open D Tuning: What’s Drop D Tuning?
One of the easiest and most common alternate guitar tunings is Drop D tuning:
- To get into Drop D tuning, you just alter the low E string down to the note D, which gives you: DADGBE (from lowest string to highest).
- Heavy metal guys like this, because they can play low power chords by simply barring a finger across the bottom two strings (the two thickest strings). When using more than one finger to play, this gives the powers chords a smooth, flowing, melodic quality.
- Also, this alternate guitar tuning allows you to play D major chords and D power chords while strumming all the guitar’s strings. Creed’s With Arms Wide Open is a classic example.
Most guitarists use an electronic tuner to get into Drop D tuning. However, to make it sound awesome, you can do this:
- Hold a D major chord.
- Strum adjacent strings while adjusting their notes.
- Focus on getting the interval between each string so that it’s beatless.
Be sure to work your way through all the strings.
For an example of how blues does something similar, read:
Video: How to Play “With Arms Wide Open”
Drop D vs Open D Tuning: What’s Double Drop D?
Double Drop D takes both the low and high E strings and lowers them to D, which gives you: DADGBD (from lowest string to highest).
- Double Drop D also lets you barre one finger for the low string powers chords.
- Plus, it’ll let you barre the top four strings (the four thinnest strings), giving it a feel much like Open G.
- Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young gives you an example of how Double Drop D works.
Video: How to Play “Cinnamon Girl”
Drop D vs Open D Tuning: What’s Open D?
Drop D just alters one string, but Open D changes almost all of them, giving you: DADF#AD (from lowest string to highest).
- Open D is good for blues slide playing, rock styles, and for fingerstyle in folk music.
- If you strum all the open strings, you’ll get a huge D major chord.
- However, Open D can be much more than that, as you can see in Joni Mitchell’s song Big Yellow Taxi.
Open D sounds great when you alter the open strings without using frets or an electronic tuner. To learn how:
Video: How to Play “Big Yellow Taxi”
Drop D vs Open D Tuning: What’s DADFAD Tuning?
DADFAD tuning is also called D crossnote:
- It’s very similar to Open D, having these notes: DADFAD (from lowest string to highest).
- All the strings are the same between open D and DADFAD, except for the third string.
- This string is lowered from F# to F, giving you a huge D minor chord.
Like Open D, DADFAD will be ideal for folk, rock, and blues music.
Video: How to Play DADFAD Tuning
Final Thoughts
The takeaway points:
- Each of these alternate guitar tunings have their own advantages, and each can help you break out of creative ruts.
- They work with multiple playing styles and in multiple musical genres, on both electric and acoustic guitar, making them suitable for almost any guitar player.
- Exploring them will help you expand your knowledge of the instrument.
Have fun experimenting!
Related Posts
- Sound Like a Rock Star with Open G
- How to Use an Extremely Accurate Guitar Strobe Tuner
- Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
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