Guitar tuning · Lowered tuning
Full step down (D standard) tuning
Every string lowered a whole step: D G C F A D. Chord shapes stay exactly the same and sound a whole step lower, for a deep, heavy sound. Also called D standard.
6thD↓ 1 step
5thG↓ 1 step
4thC↓ 1 step
3rdF↓ 1 step
2ndA↓ 1 step
1stD↓ 1 step
Your chord shapes stay the same
Play every chord exactly as you would in standard tuning — the shapes, fingerings and chord diagrams don’t change. Everything simply sounds a whole step lower:
| You play | E | A | D | G | C | Em | Am | Dm | B7 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| It sounds as | D | G | C | F | B♭ | Dm | Gm | Cm | A7 | E♭ |
To play along with a song in standard tuning without retuning back, put a capo on fret 2.
How to tune to Full step down
- Use the tuner’s “Full step down” setting, or tune each string two frets lower than normal.
- Heavier strings help: at this tuning, light strings can feel floppy and buzz.
Easiest of all: use the guitar tuner set to Full step down.
What it’s used for
Heavy rock, metal and grunge, and for singers with lower voices who find standard keys too high.