Guitarists change tuning to make riffs easier to play, to suit a singer’s voice, or to get a darker or more open sound. Drop D lets you play heavy power chords with one finger. Half step down loosens the strings for big bends, and open G gives a full chord on the open strings for slide and rhythm playing.
Each list only includes songs where the tuning on the original recording is well documented.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out what tuning a song is in?
First, check a reliable tab or interview. If you can’t find one, play along with the recording. If the lowest note is below an E, the song is tuned down or uses a drop tuning.
Why do so many rock songs use half step down?
It lowers every string by a semitone (a half step). This makes the strings looser for bends and suits many singers’ voices. Guns N’ Roses, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan used it on many recordings.