Guitar tuning

Half-step down (Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb)

It is the whole standard tuning lowered by a semitone: Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb. The exact same chord shapes and scales as standard still apply, everything just sounds half a step lower.

🎸 Open the tuner in this tuning

The tuner opens already preconfigured; you only need to allow microphone access.

Strings and frequencies

String Note Hz
String 1 Eb4 311.13 Hz
String 2 Bb3 233.08 Hz
String 3 Gb3 185.00 Hz
String 4 Db3 138.59 Hz
String 5 Ab2 103.83 Hz
String 6 Eb2 77.78 Hz

How it sounds

It slackens the strings a little, which softens bends and lowers the pitch for easier singing. It is a go-to tuning for a great deal of blues and classic rock: it changes the colour without changing the fingering.

Styles and genres

Blues Rock Hard rock Metal

Example songs

Recommended string gauges

Because tension drops, many players go up half a gauge (0.010-0.052 or 0.011-0.048) to regain firmness; with light gauges the strings can feel too soft and buzz.

Tuning tip

If you play with others, make sure everyone shares the same reference: half-step down is not compatible with instruments in standard tuning unless you transpose.

Frequently asked questions

What is half-step-down tuning?

It is standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) with all six strings lowered by a semitone, giving Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb. It does not change how you play: the chord shapes and scales are identical, everything just sounds half a step lower.

Why do people tune half a step down?

Mainly for two reasons. The most common is to fit the key to the voice: it lowers songs just enough to sing them more comfortably. It also slackens the strings a little, which softens bends and gives a slightly thicker, darker tone that is popular in blues and rock.

Can I get the same result with a capo?

Not with the capo on: a capo raises pitch, never lowers it, so it cannot make the guitar sound half a step lower. But it works as a reference: put the capo on the first fret, tune the fretted strings to standard (E-A-D-G-B-E), and when you remove it the open strings sit a semitone lower, at Eb. What actually lowers the tuning there is you loosening the strings; the capo is only a reference. With a chromatic tuner like this one you do not need the trick: you tune straight to Eb.

What frequency does each string end up at?

From a 440 Hz reference, each string drops a semitone from standard: Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb, from the sixth to the first. With the tuner there is nothing to calculate; it detects each note directly.

What songs are in half-step-down tuning?

It is a blues and rock classic. Jimi Hendrix habitually tuned half a step down ("The Wind Cries Mary"), as did Stevie Ray Vaughan ("Texas Flood"). Many players use it so songs sit better with their voice.

Do chord shapes change?

No, none of them. Because all six strings drop equally, the relationships between them stay the same: every chord shape, scale and fingering is exactly as in standard. It just sounds half a step lower.

Do I need different strings?

No. A standard gauge set works perfectly; the strings will just feel a little looser. If you prefer a firmer feel, many players go up half a gauge (say from 0.010 to 0.011), but that is a preference, not a requirement.

Related tunings

Updated