I Don't Understand "Drop D"

[Bluesbreaker5]

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.

[Stingray_EB]

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.

[Bluesbreaker5]

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

I'm not getting this.

[Foreman_]

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.

[Stingray_EB]

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.

[scottbass]

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.

[Dmanlamius]

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...

[Alcyon]

PALM MUTING