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D standard tuning

D standard tuning is D G C F A D, from the lowest string to the highest. Compared with standard: every string down a whole step. Tap a string to hear it.

Tap a string to hear its note, then tune yours to match.

About D standard

D standard tunes every string down a whole step: D G C F A D. The shapes and the gaps between strings are standard’s, a whole step lower.

It sounds darker and heavier, and is used in metal, grunge and hard rock, and by singers who want songs two half steps lower.

D standard tuning notes

Each open string from the 1st, the thinnest, to the 6th, with the frequency a tuner looks for.

D standard tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
1stD4293.66 HzDown a whole step from E
2ndA3220 HzDown a whole step from B
3rdF3174.61 HzDown a whole step from G
4thC3130.81 HzDown a whole step from D
5thG298 HzDown a whole step from A
6thD273.42 HzDown a whole step from E

Every other note’s frequency is on the note frequency chart.

How to tune to D standard

Start in standard tuning and move only the strings that change, lowest first.

  1. Tune the 6th string down a whole step, from E to D.
  2. Tune the 5th string down a whole step, from A to G.
  3. Tune the 4th string down a whole step, from D to C.
  4. Tune the 3rd string down a whole step, from G to F.
  5. Tune the 2nd string down a whole step, from B to A.
  6. Tune the 1st string down a whole step, from E to D. It should match the open 6th string, two octaves higher.

To lower a string, go a little below its new note and come back up to it: a string tuned up to its note holds its pitch better.

To tune with your mic instead, in this tuning or another, use the guitar tuner.

Playing in D standard

Every chord shape works as in standard and sounds a whole step down: the E shape is D, the A shape G, the G shape F.

The fretboard in D standard

The note on every fret in this tuning. Tap one to hear it, or light up one note or a scale on the neck.

Frets

Tap any fret to hear its note.

Six steps to learning every note on the neck are on the guitar fretboard page.

Questions about D standard

What are the notes of D standard tuning?

D G C F A D, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4.

How do I tune my guitar to D standard tuning?

Start in standard tuning. Tune the 6th string down a whole step, from E to D. Tune the 5th string down a whole step, from A to G. Tune the 4th string down a whole step, from D to C. Tune the 3rd string down a whole step, from G to F. Tune the 2nd string down a whole step, from B to A. Tune the 1st string down a whole step, from E to D. It should match the open 6th string, two octaves higher. A tuner showing each note in the table makes it exact.

More guitar tunings

Standard tuning

E A D G B E

The tuning every other one is measured from.

Half step down tuning

E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭

Every string down a half step.

C standard tuning

C F B♭ E♭ G C

Every string down two whole steps.

All 14, side by side with how far each string moves, are on the guitar tunings page.

Play along in D minor

Open the free editor with a beat in D minor playing, then add your guitar part, a bass line or your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Start a beatAll guitar tunings

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