What is Drop D tuning on guitar?

Drop D tuning lowers the 6th (lowest) string from E to D. The full tuning from low to high is D-A-D-G-B-E. This makes power chords playable with one finger on the bottom three strings.

What scales work best in Drop D tuning?

All scales work in Drop D, but D minor, D major, and the D minor pentatonic are particularly effective because they take advantage of the open low D string as a pedal tone. The Dorian and Mixolydian modes rooted on D also sound great.

Is Drop D tuning good for beginners?

Yes! Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn. You only change one string, and it makes power chords much easier to play. It's a great first step into alternate tunings.

E Altered Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

E Altered in Drop D — Notes and Intervals

The E Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Guitar, its notes are E, F, G, G#, A#, C, D. It contains every possible altered tension, making it sound extremely dissonant and complex. It is used by professional improvisers to create maximum tension over a dominant chord before a satisfying resolution. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Post-Bop, Contemporary. Notable players include John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea. Use over 7alt, 7#9, 7b9, 7#5, 7b5 chords. The definitive scale for altered dominant chords that resolve to minor. Play C Altered over C7alt resolving to Fm.

Notes: E, F, G, G#, A#, C, D

Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2A, 3M, 4A, 6m, 7m

Degrees: 1 b2 #3 4 #5 b6 b7

Formula: H-W-H-W-W-W-W

Number of notes: 7

Tuning: Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E)

Also known as: super locrian, diminished whole tone, pomeroy

About Drop D Tuning

Drop D tuning lowers the 6th string from E to D, giving you instant access to heavy power chords with a single finger. This deceptively simple change opens up a world of heavier riffs, deeper bass notes, and new chord voicings that are impossible in standard tuning. The low D string creates a powerful foundation for rhythm playing while keeping the rest of the fretboard familiar.

Drop D is one of the most versatile alternate tunings in modern music. From the crunchy riffs of grunge and alternative rock to the thunderous breakdowns of metal, this tuning has shaped the sound of countless iconic songs. It's also surprisingly useful for fingerpicking and acoustic arrangements where you need a deep bass drone.

Hard RockMetalGrungeAlternativeAcoustic Fingerpicking

Notable artists: Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Killswitch Engage

Best for: Power chords, heavy riffs, drop-tuned metal rhythm, and acoustic arrangements with a deep bass drone

Musical Character

DissonantComplexTenseResolving

Contains every possible altered tension (b9, #9, b5, #5) over a dominant chord. It is the ultimate 'tension before resolution' scale — play it on V7 and resolve to I for maximum drama.

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop D tuning