Drop B Tuning (B F♯ B E G♯ C♯)

Drop B tunes the strings from low to high to B F♯ B E G♯ C♯ (typed B F# B E G# C#). It is drop D lowered three half steps: from standard, strings 5 to 1 go down three half steps and string 6 goes down five, from E2 to B1.

Strings 6 → 1
B1 F♯2 B2 E3 G♯3 C♯4
From standard
All six change
Open strings
not a chord

Tuner · Drop B

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.

TuningB F♯ B E G♯ C♯
Strings · tap to hear

How to tune to drop B from standard

  1. String 6: E2 → B1, down 5 semitones · tension −44 %
  2. String 5: A2 → F♯2, down 3 semitones · tension −29 %
  3. String 4: D3 → B2, down 3 semitones · tension −29 %
  4. String 3: G3 → E3, down 3 semitones · tension −29 %
  5. String 2: B3 → G♯3, down 3 semitones · tension −29 %
  6. String 1: E4 → C♯4, down 3 semitones · tension −29 %

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

Drop B (B F♯ B E G♯ C♯) chords

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

Bm · drop D "Dm" shape

Bm in B F♯ B E G♯ C♯: frets 0 0 0 2 3 1231

Frets 0 0 0 2 3 1

B F♯ B F♯ B D

i (home chord). The open D minor shape on strings 3 to 1, over open B F♯ B.

Em · four strings

Em in B F♯ B E G♯ C♯: frets -1 -1 5 3 3 3××311

Frets × × 5 3 3 3

× × E G B E

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

F♯m · Am shape

F♯m in B F♯ B E G♯ C♯: frets -1 0 2 2 1 0×231

Frets × 0 2 2 1 0

× F♯ C♯ F♯ A C♯

v. The standard A minor shape, sounding F♯ minor. Skip string 6.

G · barre fret 1

G in B F♯ B E G♯ C♯: frets -1 1 3 3 3 1×13331

Frets × 1 3 3 3 1

× G D G B D

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

A · C shape

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

Frets × 3 2 0 1 0

× A C♯ E A C♯

VII. The standard open C shape, sounding A. Leads back to B minor.

Power chords: one finger across strings 6, 5 and 4 plays root, fifth and octave, counted up from B: open = B5, fret 1 = C5, fret 3 = D5, fret 5 = E5, fret 7 = F♯5, fret 12 = B5 an octave up.

How low drop B is

The low string is B1, about 62 Hz, five half steps below the standard low E. Strings 5 to 1 keep the standard intervals, three half steps lower (C♯ standard), and string 6 is dropped a further whole step so the bottom three strings read B F♯ B.

Like every drop tuning, the lowest three strings are root, fifth and octave: one finger across them plays a power chord. In drop B that power chord starts on B, a register usually left to the bass guitar.

Because the intervals match drop D, every drop D shape works here too and sounds a minor third (three half steps) lower: the drop D "Dm" shape plays B minor.

What drop B is used for

Mostly heavy rock and metal on electric guitars with heavy strings or longer scale lengths. On acoustic it is rare, and usually played on a baritone acoustic, which is built for low tunings.

Players who want drop D riffs in a key that suits a low voice sometimes go this far, but drop C or a capo on a lower tuning is usually the more practical stop on a regular acoustic.

Drop B on acoustic: string tension caution

Same strings tuned this low lose a lot of tension: strings 5 to 1 about 29 percent, string 6 about 44 percent (see the steps above). On a light acoustic set the low strings flap, buzz against the frets and go sharp as you pick, and the guitar loses volume.

Use a heavier set made for low tunings (baritone or "drop" sets), or a baritone guitar. Heavier strings may not fit the nut slots, and a guitar left at this tension may need its truss rod adjusted; that is a job for a repair shop if you have not done it before.

Going back to standard means adding all that tension again. Tune up in two passes, all strings part way and then to pitch, rather than one string fully at a time, and check again after a few minutes.

FAQ

Can I play drop B on a normal acoustic guitar?

You can tune it, but with standard light strings it will be floppy and buzzy, because the strings lose roughly 29 to 44 percent of their tension. Heavier strings or a baritone guitar make it playable.

Which strings change from standard?

All six. String 6 goes from E2 to B1 (down five half steps); strings 5 to 1 go down three half steps each, to F♯ B E G♯ C♯.

Is drop B the same as drop D shapes, lower?

Yes. Drop B has the drop D intervals, three half steps lower, so every drop D shape and riff works and sounds a minor third lower.

What string gauge should I use for drop B tuning?

Heavier than a standard acoustic set. The same strings lose a lot of tension this low, so use a baritone set or a set made for low tunings, with a much heavier low string. Keep the tension close to what the guitar feels like in standard, and have a repair shop check the nut slots and truss rod if the strings do not fit or the neck bows.

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