Sorry for a newbie question, but I've never had to learn a song in "drop D". What is the purpose of "drop D"? Does it change the chord or scale? Must I tune down my E string? If so, for example, would I fret the G note on the third fret as usual (which is now an F) or do I go up to the 5th fret? Do you tune down any of the other stings for "drop D"?

This is messing with my mind.

Thanks for any help.

Well you a dropping down to D from E hence the name "Drop D".

In Drop D the E string is the same as your D string same notes. So 5th fret on your E string in Drop D would be a G. All notes move up 2 frets.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for your help....but.....why not just play the D string and leave the E string alone?

I'm not getting this.

It's sometimes used to make open chords easier to play, you could find it in some slide guitar pieces... Some bands also use it to make songs sound heavier, there's a whole bunch of reasons.

Dropping the E to D is mostly used as Foreman says to both make open chords eaiser ( for the guitards) and to make the notes sound heavier or more bassy. Playing a G on the D string wouldnt sound as bassy as it would on the E string dropped to D.

Mostly it's used for songs that are in the key of D. With a drop D tuning you can get that nice low pedal tone for the root. It's also useful for songs in the key of G when you want to play the fifth lower than the root instead of higher.

Yea, as Scottbass says, it's for that nice, low sound...

It's used a lot in metal and grunge, to give a dark edge to lines. Playing the D alone is at a higher octave than the one you are playing on the E string, so won't give you that same sound.

I used to go down to C back in my metal days. Floppy string time.

Never again...:D

PALM MUTING