Drop D tuning

[DLI848]

I'm kind of new to the music world and I was just wondering what the purpose of drop D tuning is? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Drop D tuning.

[BullHorn]

The obvious advantage is the access to extra 2 semi-tones beyond what the default tuning offers (low D# and D). It's especially useful if you're playing a song in the key of D or D# or if you happen to play these notes alot in a particular song but want to be able to have more low end.

The obvious disadvantage is not having the notes in their usual position, thus forcing you to change your fretting hand's position.


There's not much to say about this really. GDGCF tuning on the other hand... hehu !

[PBass101]

Some songs just need a low D. Quite a few Pink Floyd songs, actually - Another Brick in the Wall, Run Like Hell, etc.

[bassman1185]

It is used a lot in hardcore and metal circles (or drop C, B, A, or even G tunings) for the extra low-end thickness, as well as allowing simpler chord power chords. I play in a hardcore band that plays in drop C (so I tune CGCF, and the guitars tune CGCFAD) because C is the easiest range for our vocalists to sing/scream in, and this way we have the open C strings that we can bounce off of for some riffs. It is more convenient and intuitive than playing a five-string bass or a seven-string guitar if your songs are primarily in a specific range.

[P. Aaron]

I tune the E down to D for 5 songs we do. It just reflects the original recording and grooves better.

I plan on getting a 5 string eventually so I can handle whatever gets thrown my way. The tuning up & down annoys the singer, even though it only takes about 4 seconds.

[BigOldHarry]

I have always used a Hipshot D-tuner on my 4 strings, but I've never bothered tuning the whole thing to D -- it's just not very useful (for me, at least). But having the option to play that Ef or that D is *fun*.

[ksandvik]

DGCF rules! All my basses have this.

[fourfinger]

A D-tuner allows you stay true to more pop lines, if you don't want to play 5-string.

[TortillaChip520]

i can't imagine being able to hear drop g...

[BullHorn]

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

i can't imagine being able to hear drop g...

3000W poweramp and subwoofer cabinets.

[somegeezer]

I see it as a guitard tuning... So they can play power chords with 1 finger. I prefer just tuning to standard D or using my low B string to get the notes I need. That way, I can still use the same finger patterns and whatnot.

[chrisisnotevil]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

It is used a lot in hardcore and metal circles (or drop C, B, A, or even G tunings) for the extra low-end thickness, as well as allowing simpler chord power chords. I play in a hardcore band that plays in drop C (so I tune CGCF, and the guitars tune CGCFAD) because C is the easiest range for our vocalists to sing/scream in, and this way we have the open C strings that we can bounce off of for some riffs. It is more convenient and intuitive than playing a five-string bass or a seven-string guitar if your songs are primarily in a specific range.

This, but also, I drop rather than detune the whole bass as some suggest as it makes learning new songs easier for me as our guitarist writes in drop D and I can follow himbetter this way. I have to buy another bass now we're writing in drop C however. If I were good, I'd be able to play it all on one fiver, but I'm not, and last time I tried I got an RSI.

[boomtisk]

I really like dropped D tuning on guitar because it allows for some interesting riffs and voicings but I'm not so hot about it on bass. Seeing as my meat-and-potatoes notes are on the E and A strings, the additional whole step always throws me off when I downtune to D. Plus, having the G on the fifth fret of the E string is pretty awkward and so is fretting octaves where the root is on the detuned E string.

But then again, on guitar I'm currently experimenting with replacing power chords with octaves, which is also pretty awkward in drop D tuning because it makes the A string hard to mute when you're strumming and fretting the octave shape with the root on the lowest string.

[Ric5]

Drop D is more of a guitar thing ... for bass DGCF works better ... or better yet BEADG.

[klokker]

I used drop D on a couple of songs that are in D, it makes it easier to bounce off the low D on a few riffs, seems designed for the song.

Also use drop E flat for one song written in B flat. Whatever works.