Bass Guitar tuning
Bass Guitar Drop D (D A D G) Tuning
Lower the E string to D for a deeper root in D and one-finger fifths.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | D1 | 36.71 Hz | 26 | perfect fifth | |
| 3 | A1 | 55.00 Hz | 33 | perfect fourth | |
| 2 | D2 | 73.42 Hz | 38 | perfect fourth | |
| 1 | G2 | 98.00 Hz | 43 | — |
Strings listed from lowest to highest. Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament.
Fretboard note map
| String | Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
| 2 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 3 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 4 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
How to tune to Drop D (D A D G)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to D1, A1, D2, G2.
- Tune up to each pitch: if you overshoot, drop below and come back up so the string settles.
- Check every string once more — changing the tension of one string slightly pulls the others.
- Big changes from standard tuning stretch strings: give them a minute and re-tune.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of Drop D (D A D G) tuning?
D1 (36.71 Hz), A1 (55.00 Hz), D2 (73.42 Hz), G2 (98.00 Hz).
How do I tune a bass guitar to Drop D (D A D G)?
Tune each string to the pitches above with a chromatic tuner, starting from the lowest string; then re-check, because changing one string's tension slightly detunes the others.