Drop A Tuning (A E A D F♯ B)

Drop A tunes the strings from low to high to A E A D F♯ B (typed A E A D F# B). From standard, strings 5 to 1 go down five half steps (a perfect fourth) and string 6 goes down seven, from E2 to A1, the same note as the open A string of a bass guitar.

Strings 6 → 1
A1 E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3
From standard
All six change
Open strings
not a chord

Tuner · Drop A

A4 · 440 Hz
-50-250+25+50♭♯FLATSHARP
–
Mic off
±0 ¢
Auto string detect

Uses your microphone. Audio stays on this device. No mic? Tap a string to hear its note.

TuningA E A D F♯ B
Strings · tap to hear

How to tune to drop A from standard

  1. String 6: E2 → A1, down 7 semitones · tension −55 %
  2. String 5: A2 → E2, down 5 semitones · tension −44 %
  3. String 4: D3 → A2, down 5 semitones · tension −44 %
  4. String 3: G3 → D3, down 5 semitones · tension −44 %
  5. String 2: B3 → F♯3, down 5 semitones · tension −44 %
  6. String 1: E4 → B3, down 5 semitones · tension −44 %

The tuner above is locked to A E A D F♯ B, so each string reads against its own target. Tap a string button to hear its note.

Drop A (A E A D F♯ B) chords

Frets are listed from string 6 to string 1 (× = do not play). The notes line is what each string sounds in this tuning.

Am · drop D "Dm" shape

Am in A E A D F♯ B: frets 0 0 0 2 3 1231

Frets 0 0 0 2 3 1

A E A E A C

i (home chord). The open D minor shape on strings 3 to 1, over the open A E A bass.

C · low root at fret 3

C in A E A D F♯ B: frets 3 3 3 2 1 -133321×

Frets 3 3 3 2 1 ×

C G C E G ×

III. Ring finger flat on strings 6 to 4 at fret 3, middle on string 3, index on string 2. Mute string 1.

Dm · four strings

Dm in A E A D F♯ B: frets -1 -1 5 3 3 3××311

Frets × × 5 3 3 3

× × D F A D

iv. Index flat across strings 3 to 1 at fret 3, ring finger on string 4 at fret 5.

F · barre fret 1

F in A E A D F♯ B: frets -1 1 3 3 3 1×13331

Frets × 1 3 3 3 1

× F C F A C

VI. The standard B♭ barre shape at fret 1, sounding F.

G · C shape

G in A E A D F♯ B: frets -1 3 2 0 1 0×321

Frets × 3 2 0 1 0

× G B D G B

VII. The standard open C shape, sounding G. G to Am is the usual way home.

Power chords: one finger across strings 6, 5 and 4 plays root, fifth and octave, counted up from A: open = A5, fret 2 = B5, fret 3 = C5, fret 5 = D5, fret 7 = E5, fret 12 = A5 an octave up.

How drop A is built

Strings 5 to 1 are standard tuning moved down a perfect fourth, often called B standard. Lowering string 6 one more whole step to A gives the drop pattern: A E A on the bottom strings, root, fifth and octave.

The low A is about 55 Hz. That is the pitch of a bass guitar's open A string, so in a band the guitar and bass share the same bottom note instead of sitting an octave apart.

The intervals are exactly drop D's, five half steps lower. Every drop D shape works and sounds a perfect fourth lower: the drop D "D" shape plays A major, the "Dm" shape A minor.

What drop A is used for

Heavy metal on seven-string, baritone and extended-scale electric guitars, which are built to hold a low A in tension.

Baritone acoustic guitars, whose longer scale keeps low strings tight; some players use B standard or drop A on them for a deep accompaniment under a high voice.

Drop A on acoustic: read this before you retune

With the strings that are on a regular acoustic, drop A removes almost half the tension of strings 5 to 1 (about 44 percent) and more than half of string 6 (about 55 percent). The low strings will flap, rattle on the frets and barely project. This is not a tuning for a standard acoustic with its usual strings.

To play it properly, use a baritone guitar or a string set made for B or A tunings, with a much heavier low string. Heavier strings usually need wider nut slots and a truss rod adjustment: have a repair shop set the guitar up once for it.

If you only want to try the sound, tune a guitar with medium or heavy strings, play gently, and tune back up in two passes (all strings part way, then to pitch) so the neck takes the load back evenly.

FAQ

Can I tune an acoustic guitar to drop A?

Only sensibly with a baritone guitar or strings made for very low tunings. With normal strings the low strings lose roughly half their tension, so they buzz, wobble in pitch and sound weak.

Which strings change from standard?

All six. String 6 goes from E2 down to A1 (seven half steps); strings 5 to 1 go down five half steps each, to E A D F♯ B.

Is drop A the same note as a bass guitar?

The low string, A1 at about 55 Hz, is the same pitch as the open A string of a standard four-string bass.

What string gauge should I use for drop A tuning?

Much heavier than a standard acoustic set. Use a baritone set or one made for B or A tunings, with a heavy low string, so the tension stays near what the guitar feels like in standard. Heavy strings often need wider nut slots and a truss rod adjustment, so have a repair shop set the guitar up for it.

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