The most common alternate tunings
Notes from the 6th string (thickest) to the 1st string (thinnest). Standard tuning, for comparison, is E A D G B E.
Notes in bold differ from standard tuning.
| Tuning | Notes | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Drop D | D A D G B E | 6th string down a whole step |
| Half step down | E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ | Every string down a semitone |
| Whole step down | D G C F A D | Every string down a whole step |
| Open G | D G D G B D | Open strings play G major |
| Open D | D A D F♯ A D | Open strings play D major |
| Open E | E B E G♯ B E | Open strings play E major |
| Open C | C G C G C E | Open strings play C major |
| DADGAD | D A D G A D | Open strings play Dsus4 |
Drop D: one string to change
Drop D is the easiest alternate tuning to try: lower the 6th string from E to D, a whole step (two semitones), and leave the other five strings as they are.
The three lowest strings then play D, A and D: you can play a power chord with one finger across them. The low D also matches the open 4th string, one octave lower, which helps you check it by ear.
Open tunings: a chord on the open strings
In an open tuning, strumming all six strings without pressing any fret plays a major chord: G major in open G, D major in open D, E major in open E, C major in open C. Laying a finger across all the strings at one fret moves that chord up the neck.
DADGAD is close to open D, with a G instead of the F♯ on the 3rd string. The open strings play a D chord with a suspended fourth.
Lower tunings
Half step down and whole step down lower all six strings by the same amount. Chord shapes stay the same; they just sound lower.
As Yamaha points out, basic guitar tuners only recognize E, A, D, G and B. For these tunings you need a chromatic tuner, which recognizes all twelve notes, or a tuner with the tuning built in.
Switch tunings in the app
Open the tuning list
Tap the instrument and tuning name at the top of the tuner, then choose the guitar and the tuning you want.
Tune each string to its new note
The tuner now expects the notes of that tuning. Play each string and follow the needle, as in standard tuning.
Go back when you are done
Choose Standard again and retune the strings you changed.
Guitar Tuner Pro lists 65 guitar tunings: drop tunings, open tunings, lower tunings, modal and cross-note tunings. Standard tuning is free; the others come with the subscription. On Android, you can also unlock one tuning at a time by watching a short video.
See all the tuner featuresQuestions & answers
What is the easiest alternate tuning?
Drop D: only the 6th string changes, from E down to D. The other five strings stay in standard tuning.
What are the notes of open G?
D G D G B D, from the 6th string to the 1st. Strummed open, the strings play a G major chord.
What is DADGAD?
A tuning with the notes D A D G A D. It is close to open D and its open strings play a Dsus4 chord.
Can I use a regular guitar tuner for half step down?
Only if it is chromatic or has the tuning built in. A basic guitar tuner only recognizes E, A, D, G and B.