Choosing a Tuning for a Song: A Practical Guide for Guitarists and Songwriters

Choosing a tuning for a song is the deliberate process of selecting a specific set of pitches for the open strings of a stringed instrument—most commonly the guitar—to best serve the musical, emotional, and technical demands of a composition. This choice can transform a simple chord progression into a resonant, idiomatic landscape, unlocking new voicings and inspiring creativity.

Etymology / Origin

The concept of altering string pitches dates back centuries. The term scordatura (Italian for “mistuning”) was used in Baroque violin music to facilitate specific chords or effects, with composers like Heinrich Biber writing entire sonatas in altered tunings. For the guitar, standard tuning (EADGBE) emerged in the 19th century as a compromise between playability and harmonic range, gradually replacing earlier tunings like the “English” tuning (EADGBD) and the “Spanish” tuning (EADGBE). Alternate tunings gained popularity in folk and blues traditions, with players like Robert Johnson using open tunings for slide guitar. The 1960s folk revival and later rock musicians like Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Page, and Nick Drake expanded the palette, making alternate tunings a staple of modern songwriting. Today, the practice is so widespread that entire genres, such as Celtic fingerstyle and modern metal, are defined by their characteristic tunings.

How It Works

Tuning determines the fundamental pitch of each open string, which in turn affects the instrument’s resonance, the shapes of chords, and the ease of playing certain intervals. When you change a string’s pitch, you alter the tension, which can affect sustain and timbre. Open tunings (e.g., Open G: DGDGBD) allow full chords to be strummed without fretting, ideal for slide and fingerstyle. Dropped tunings (e.g., Drop D: DADGBE) extend the bass range and simplify power chords. Modal tunings (e.g., DADGAD) create suspended, ambiguous tonalities that inspire new melodic ideas. The choice of tuning can also accommodate a singer’s vocal range or facilitate complex chord voicings that would be impossible in standard tuning. Physically, the string’s vibration is governed by its length, tension, and mass; changing the pitch shifts the harmonic series, altering which overtones are emphasized and how the instrument interacts with the room. This is why a guitar in open D sounds fundamentally different from the same guitar in standard tuning, even when playing the same chord.

Notation & Diagrams

When working with alternate tunings, it is essential to document the string pitches clearly. Below is a comparison of standard tuning and Open G tuning, a popular choice for slide and blues.

Chord charts for alternate tunings often use a grid with the string names at the top. For example, a D chord in Open G tuning might be notated as:

D G D G B D  (strings)
0 0 0 2 3 2  (frets)

Many songwriters keep a notebook of tuning-specific chord shapes, as standard chord diagrams become meaningless once the string intervals change.

Step-by-Step: How to Choose a Tuning

1. Identify the song’s key and mood. Determine the emotional tone—bright, dark, open, tense. Major keys often suit standard or open tunings; minor or modal pieces may benefit from DADGAD or drop tunings.
2. Consider the desired chord voicings. If you need lush, ringing chords with open strings, an open tuning (e.g., Open D, Open G) is ideal. For heavy riffs and power chords, Drop D or Drop C provides low-end punch.
3. Evaluate playability. Some tunings make certain chord shapes easier, while others require relearning fingerings. Test whether the tuning allows smooth transitions between the song’s chords.
4. Factor in vocal range. If the song is to be sung, the tuning can be adjusted to place the melody in a comfortable range without using a capo. For example, tuning down a half-step (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb) can ease vocal strain.
5. Experiment with drone and resonance. Tunings like DADGAD or CGCGCE create droning effects that enhance fingerstyle and atmospheric pieces. Strum the open strings to hear the inherent chord and let it guide your composition.
6. Check string tension and gauge. Drastic tuning changes may require heavier or lighter strings to maintain proper tension and avoid fret buzz or neck warping. Consult a string tension chart.
7. Document the tuning. Once chosen, write down the tuning and any new chord shapes to ensure consistency during practice and performance.

Common Variations

• Standard Tuning (EADGBE): The default for most guitar music; versatile and well-documented.
• Drop D (DADGBE): Lowers the 6th string a whole step; popular in rock and metal for heavy riffs.
• Double Drop D (DADGBD): Both E strings dropped to D; used by Neil Young for a deep, resonant sound.
• Open G (DGDGBD): Favored by Keith Richards and slide guitarists; a G major chord when strummed open.
• Open D (DADF#AD): Produces a D major chord; used in blues and folk (e.g., “Big Yellow Taxi”).
• DADGAD: A modal tuning neither major nor minor; creates a suspended, Celtic feel (e.g., Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”).
• Open C (CGCGCE): A deep, resonant tuning used by John Fahey and others for fingerstyle.
• Half-Step Down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb): All strings tuned down a semitone; common in live performances to reduce vocal strain.

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring string gauge: Using light strings for very low tunings results in floppy, buzzing strings. Match gauge to tuning.
• Not adjusting the truss rod: Significant tension changes can affect neck relief; a setup may be necessary.
• Overcomplicating the choice: Sometimes standard tuning with a capo is the simplest and most effective solution.
• Forgetting to retune between songs: In a live set, frequent tuning changes can disrupt flow; plan a setlist that groups songs by tuning.
• Neglecting the nut and bridge: Extreme tunings can cause strings to bind at the nut, leading to tuning instability; lubricate slots.

Notable Examples in Songs

• “Blackbird” – The Beatles (Standard Tuning)
• “Kashmir” – Led Zeppelin (DADGAD)
• “Dear Prudence” – The Beatles (Drop D)
• “The Rain Song” – Led Zeppelin (DGCGCD)
• “Big Yellow Taxi” – Joni Mitchell (Open D)
• “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” – Radiohead (Standard Tuning)