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Drop B tuning

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

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

About drop B

Drop B is the drop shape a step and a half below drop D: B F♯ B E G♯ C♯. The top five strings sit a step and a half below standard and the 6th string two and a half steps below.

It is common in modern metal and metalcore, often on a baritone or seven-string guitar.

Drop B tuning notes

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

Drop B tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
1stC♯4277.18 HzDown a step and a half from E
2ndG♯3207.65 HzDown a step and a half from B
3rdE3164.81 HzDown a step and a half from G
4thB2123.47 HzDown a step and a half from D
5thF♯292.5 HzDown a step and a half from A
6thB161.74 HzDown two and a half steps from E

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

How to tune to drop B

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

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

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 B

The three lowest strings, B F♯ B, are a power chord under one finger: open is B5, the 2nd fret C♯5, the 5th fret E5.

The fretboard in drop B

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 B

What are the notes of drop B tuning?

B F♯ B E G♯ C♯, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: B1 F♯2 B2 E3 G♯3 C♯4.

How do I tune my guitar to drop B tuning?

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

Do I need different strings for drop B 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 A tuning

A E A D F♯ B

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

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 B minor

Open the free editor with a beat in B 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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