What is Drop D tuning?
To tune a guitar without a tuner will require a bit of work, a lot of practice, and a very sensitive ear to music. But for this particular little lesson, which is all about Drop D tuning, we will be learning how to tune a guitar without a tuner, because, you see, it is possible, even if you are just a beginner!
Now, you may be asking, what is Drop D tuning? A guitar’s standard tune is EADGBE. This means the lowest note (which is the sixth string) is E. Unless you adjust the way you tune your guitar, or tune a guitar without a tuner, E is the lowest note you will get. Drop D tuning will allow you to achieve an even lower note than the E once you make the necessary adjustments (more on that later), and you tune a guitar without a tuner to assist you when you do so.
Tune a Guitar Without a Tuner - When is Drop D tuning used?
Drop D tuning is commonly used in the rock genre – those heavy guitar riffs sound the way they do because of this kind of tuning. A lot of the classic rock songs we grew up with and love are played using this. Some of the most famous rock songs by our favorite bands are played on Drop D – Killing in the Name, Renegades of Funk (Rage Against the Machine); Everlong (Foo Fighters); Moby Dick (Led Zeppelin); All Apologies (Nirvana).
But this is not to say that Drop D tuning is limited there, because in genres like country, folk, and grunge. It is also the tuning used in bass guitar playing.
How can I tune a guitar without a tuner to Drop D?
You might suddenly feel intimidated, especially now that you know that the great rockstars were playing with this kind of tuning. Don’t be! You don’t have to be a famous rockstar to be able to play their songs the way they played it.
To tune a guitar without a tuner to get Drop D tuning is actually pretty easy. One thing you can do is to adjust your sixth (E) string to the tone of the fourth (D) string. When you tune a guitar without a tuner, you will be playing it by ear, so it will really help if you are sensitive to sound. Pick the fourth string, give it a very careful listen, and then adjust your sixth string until it matches the sound (only an octave lower).
Tune a Guitar Without a Tuner – The fifth fret method
Another method you can use is to tune a guitar without a tuner is similar to the fifth fret method of tuning (click on this link to learn more about that), except that we will be using the seventh fret for this. Pick the open A string, and then press down on the seventh fret on the E string – adjust the E string until they sound the same. When they do, you have your Drop D tuning, and you were able to tune a guitar without a tuner in doing it!
A little reminder though, before you start rocking – playing in Drop D will need some minor adjustments in how you play your chords (but that is for another topic right there).
Easy, right? With a bit of practice, you can start to tune a guitar without a tuner, and before you know it, you will be playing all of those great classics!