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Guitar tuning
Drop A
The whole guitar down a fourth, then the sixth string dropped to A1.
Electric · 6 in line
Acoustic · 3 + 3
6th
A1
55.0 Hz
5th
E2
82.4 Hz
4th
A2
110.0 Hz
3rd
D3
146.8 Hz
2nd
F♯3
185.0 Hz
1st
B3
246.9 Hz
Note names won’t tune your guitar.
Knowing the strings should read A E A D F♯ B is the easy half. Landing each frequency — and knowing whether you are nine cents flat or three — is the half that needs an ear or an instrument.
1
Open Dial and play a string
It listens as soon as you play. Nothing to press.
2
Turn each peg until the needle centres
Every string drops a fourth; the sixth continues down to 55 Hz.
3
Check the remaining strings
Changing tension on one string shifts the neck slightly. The rest usually need a nudge.
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Alternate tunings, one-time unlock
What Drop A is for
Usually the province of seven-string guitars — on six, it asks for very heavy strings and a patient amp. What it buys you is a power chord that growls a full fifth below standard.
A few chords to try
A5
Open
E5
7th fret
A
Open