![]() This is the octave and it is the same pitch as the open string. If your microphone struggles to pick up your sound, play the 12th fret instead of the open string. Chromatic tuners can be used to tune to Drop D, or alternatively, you can use an online tuner with a microphone. If you struggle to match the pitch by ear, the next best thing is to use a tuner. Thus, I have covered how to approach tuning a 5-string bass to drop D further down this article.ĭ1 – Thickest String A1 D2 G2 – Thinnest String Tuning a 5-string bass to Drop D can be a bit more awkward. Despite being an octave apart the two strings will sound harmonious when both are tuned to D.Īlternatively, you can make use of the tuner below to tune a 4-string bass to Drop D. You can do so by matching the pitch of your deepest string to that of your high D string. Drop D allows bassists to do this easily without having to tune down all of their strings.Ī bass guitar tuned to E standard can be tuned to Drop D by tuning the deepest string from E to D. Accommodating the vocalist – Occasionally, a band will tune down to accommodate a vocalist with a deep vocal range.Thus, it’s a great tuning for adding variety to a band’s catalog, without needing several basses on deck. Flexibility – Switching between E standard and Drop D is fast and easy.Therefore, this tuning is a staple in metal and hard rock. Dropping the E string to D enables you to play deeper, which can be utilized to write riffs that sound heavier. Heavier sound – Most bands that play in drop D do so in order to sound heavier. ![]() While you are unlikely to play deep power chords on the bass, it is convenient for everyone in a band to play in the same tuning. This is because these tunings make power chords significantly easier to play. ![]() Being in synch with the guitars – Drop tunings are loved by guitarists in heavy genres.Here are some of the main reasons bassist tune to Drop D: However, once you have learned how to approach the tuning, Drop D opens up new ways to play deep grooves and heavy riffs. This means you will have to rethink how you approach the fretboard when switching between the D and A strings. Instead, The D and A strings are now tuned a perfect 5th apart instead. This is because the strings will no longer be tuned at perfect 4th intervals. If you are used to playing in E standard, Drop D will take a little bit of getting used to. Bass players generally tune to drop D to sound heavier and to play in the same tuning as the guitar players in their band. This means that the deepest string is dropped 1 whole step down from E standard. When a bass is tuned to Drop D, the strings are tuned D-A-D-G. Lastly, I will show you some examples of bands that play in Drop D, and explain how string choice matters when switching from playing in E standard to drop D. I`ll also cover why you’d choose the tuning over other alternatives, and why you wouldn`t. ![]() There is also a tuner below that you can use to easily tune your bass down. You will learn how to approach tuning and playing in Drop D on both 4-string and 5-string basses. Therefore, I`m here to tell you everything you need to know about Drop D as a bass player. However, there are several differences between playing in a standard and a drop tuning that beginners often overlook. It’s a great tuning, especially for bands that are exploring heavier genres for the first time. It’s convenient to tune to, it doesn`t require you to set up your bass, and there are plenty of bands to cover.Īfter playing in various metal bands, I`ve used drop D on multiple occasions. Drop D is a common alternate bass tuning, and for a good reason.
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