D Standard Tuner
Press Start, allow the microphone and play a string. D standard is set: D G C F A D, every string a whole step down.
Press Start and allow the microphone.
Tap a string to hear its note and tune to it by ear.
D standard tuning notes
D standard tuning is D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4: every string lowered a whole step (two semitones) from standard. It is also called whole step down, full step down or DGCFAD. Chord and scale shapes stay the same and sound a whole step lower.
| String | Note | Frequency | From standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | D2 | 73.42 Hz | down a whole step |
| 5th | G2 | 98.00 Hz | down a whole step |
| 4th | C3 | 130.81 Hz | down a whole step |
| 3rd | F3 | 174.61 Hz | down a whole step |
| 2nd | A3 | 220.00 Hz | down a whole step |
| 1st | D4 | 293.66 Hz | down a whole step |
Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz; change A4 in the tuner and the table follows.
What D standard is for
Tuning everything down a whole step darkens the sound and loosens the strings, which makes bends easier and suits singers who find standard keys too high. It is common in grunge, hard rock and metal. With a capo at the 2nd fret you are back at standard pitch without retuning.
Do not confuse it with Drop D: Drop D changes only the 6th string (D A D G B E), while D standard moves all six. Taking the 6th string of D standard down another whole step gives Drop C.
How to tune to D standard from standard
- Press Start tuning and allow the microphone. D standard (whole step down) is already selected.
- Lower every string by a whole step: E to D, A to G, D to C, G to F, B to A and E to D.
- Go string by string from the 6th to the 1st and stop each one when the tuner says In tune.
- Check all six again. With six looser strings the neck relaxes, and the first ones drift.
Strings and setup
A whole step down, light strings feel slack. Many players go one gauge heavier, for example from 10–46 to 11–52, to keep the feel of standard tuning. The neck may need a small truss-rod adjustment and the intonation a quick check.
D standard tuning: frequently asked questions
What are the notes in D standard tuning?
D G C F A D, from the 6th string to the 1st: D2, G2, C3, F3, A3 and D4.
Is D standard the same as whole step down?
Yes. D standard, whole step down, full step down, one step down and DGCFAD all name the same tuning.
What is the difference between D standard and Drop D?
D standard lowers all six strings a whole step. Drop D lowers only the 6th string, from E to D, and leaves the rest at standard.
Can I play songs in standard tuning in D standard?
Yes, the fingering is the same and everything sounds a whole step lower. Put a capo at the 2nd fret to play along with a recording in standard tuning.
What strings should I use for D standard?
Your usual set works. A set one step heavier, 11–52 instead of 10–46 for example, keeps the strings from feeling loose.
How do I go from D standard to Drop C?
Lower only the 6th string another whole step, from D2 to C2.
Drop D tuning
D A D G B E: only the low E goes down to D.
Half step down tuning
Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb: every string one semitone down.
C standard tuning
C F Bb Eb G C: every string two whole steps down.
Drop C tuning
C G C F A D: Drop D a whole step lower.
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