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Drop A tuning

Drop A tuning is A E A D F♯ B, from the lowest string to the highest. Compared with standard: 6th string down three and a half steps; the other 5 down two and a half steps. Tap a string to hear it.

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

About drop A

Drop A on a six-string is the drop shape two and a half steps below drop D: A E A D F♯ B. It is very low, so it is mostly played on a baritone guitar.

On a seven-string guitar, drop A means something else: the low B string down a whole step to A under a standard E A D G B E.

Drop A tuning notes

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

Drop A tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
1stB3246.94 HzDown two and a half steps from E
2ndF♯3185 HzDown two and a half steps from B
3rdD3146.83 HzDown two and a half steps from G
4thA2110 HzDown two and a half steps from D
5thE282.41 HzDown two and a half steps from A
6thA155 HzDown three and a half steps from E

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

How to tune to drop A

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

  1. Tune the 6th string down three and a half steps, from E to A.
  2. Tune the 5th string down two and a half steps, from A to E.
  3. Tune the 4th string down two and a half steps, from D to A. It should match the open 6th string, an octave higher.
  4. Tune the 3rd string down two and a half steps, from G to D.
  5. Tune the 2nd string down two and a half steps, from B to F♯.
  6. Tune the 1st string down two and a half steps, from E to B.

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 drop A

The three lowest strings, A E A, are a power chord under one finger: open is A5, the 3rd fret C5, the 5th fret D5.

The fretboard in drop A

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 drop A

What are the notes of drop A tuning?

A E A D F♯ B, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: A1 E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3.

How do I tune my guitar to drop A tuning?

Start in standard tuning. Tune the 6th string down three and a half steps, from E to A. Tune the 5th string down two and a half steps, from A to E. Tune the 4th string down two and a half steps, from D to A. It should match the open 6th string, an octave higher. Tune the 3rd string down two and a half steps, from G to D. Tune the 2nd string down two and a half steps, from B to F♯. Tune the 1st string down two and a half steps, from E to B. A tuner showing each note in the table makes it exact.

Do I need different strings for drop A tuning?

This low, standard strings feel loose and can buzz. A heavier set (11s or 12s, or a set sold for drop or baritone tunings) keeps them tight; the guitar may need its neck and intonation set up again.

More guitar tunings

Drop D tuning

D A D G B E

6th string down a whole step.

Drop C tuning

C G C F A D

6th string down two whole steps; the other 5 down a whole step.

Drop B tuning

B F♯ B E G♯ C♯

6th string down two and a half steps; the other 5 down a step and a half.

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 A minor

Open the free editor with a beat in A 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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