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DADGAD tuning

DADGAD tuning is D A D G A D, from the lowest string to the highest. Compared with standard: 6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step. Tap a string to hear it.

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

About DADGAD

DADGAD tunes the open strings to D A D G A D, a D sus4 chord: neither major nor minor, so it fits under both.

It is the sound of Celtic and folk guitar, and of fingerstyle players who want open strings ringing against a melody.

DADGAD tuning notes

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

DADGAD 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
3rdG3196 HzSame as standard
4thD3146.83 HzSame as standard
5thA2110 HzSame as standard
6thD273.42 HzDown a whole step from E

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

How to tune to DADGAD

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. It should match the open 4th string, an octave lower.
  2. Tune the 2nd string down a whole step, from B to A. It should match the open 5th string, an octave higher.
  3. Tune the 1st string down a whole step, from E to D. It should match the open 4th string, an octave 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 DADGAD

Chords are often a shape on the middle strings with the others left open to ring: the 4th string at the 4th fret and the 3rd at the 2nd, with the rest open, is D major.

The fretboard in DADGAD

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 DADGAD

What are the notes of DADGAD tuning?

D A D G A D, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4.

How do I tune my guitar to DADGAD tuning?

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

What chord is DADGAD tuning?

The open strings ring a D sus4 chord. In an open tuning, one finger across every string at any fret plays the same kind of chord from that fret’s note.

More guitar tunings

Open D tuning

D A D F♯ A D

Rings D major. 6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step; 3rd string down a half step.

Open G tuning

D G D G B D

Rings G major. 6th, 5th and 1st strings down a whole step.

Open E tuning

E B E G♯ B E

Rings E major. 5th and 4th strings up a whole step; 3rd string up a half step.

Open C tuning

C G C G C E

Rings C major. 6th string down two whole steps; 5th and 4th strings down a whole step; 2nd string up a half step.

Open A tuning

E A E A C♯ E

Rings A major. 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings up a whole step.

Standard tuning

E A D G B E

The tuning every other one is measured from.

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

Play along in D major

Open the free editor with a beat in D major 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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