Guitar tuning · also D modal, Dsus4
Guitar DADGAD Tuning
Modal, suspended-sounding tuning with no third. A staple of Celtic fingerstyle and accompaniment.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | D2 | 73.42 Hz | 38 | perfect fifth | |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | 45 | perfect fourth | |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | 50 | perfect fourth | |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | 55 | major second | |
| 2 | A3 | 220.00 Hz | 57 | perfect fourth | |
| 1 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 62 | — |
Strings listed 6 → 1 (low E to high E). 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 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 2 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 3 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
| 4 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 5 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 6 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
How to tune to DADGAD
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to D2, A2, D3, G3, A3, D4.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of DADGAD tuning?
D2 (73.42 Hz), A2 (110.00 Hz), D3 (146.83 Hz), G3 (196.00 Hz), A3 (220.00 Hz), D4 (293.66 Hz).
How do I tune a guitar to DADGAD?
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.