MODAL TUNING / QUICK START
DADGAD tuning.
Three lowered strings create a suspended D–G–A bed: broad, unresolved and built for drones, moving bass notes and small fretted changes.
THE THREE CHANGES
E2 → D2
B3 → A3 · E4 → D4
STRINGS 6, 2 + 1 · EACH DOWN 2 SEMITONES
AGT / TUNING MAP · 440 HZ
D A D G A D
STRING 6
D
STRING 5
A
STRING 4
D
STRING 3
G
STRING 2
A
STRING 1
D
The open strings contain only D, G and A. That makes Dsus4—not D major or D minor—because there is no F♯ or F to supply a third.
GET INTO TUNE
Lower three strings. Leave three alone.
Start in standard tuning: E A D G B E. Lower strings 6, 2 and 1 by one whole step; strings 5, 4 and 3 stay at A, D and G.
1
Lower string 6 from E2 to D2.
2
Keep strings 5, 4 and 3 unchanged.
3
Lower string 2 from B3 to A3.
4
Lower string 1 from E4 to D4, then recheck all six.
String
Standard
DADGAD
Movement
6
E2
D2
Down one step
5
A2
A2
No change
4
D3
D3
No change
3
G3
G3
No change
2
B3
A3
Down one step
1
E4
D4
Down one step
Tune down to each target rather than winding past it and back. The lowered strings will feel slightly softer; confirm the pitches before judging a chord shape.
CHANGE TUNINGS OFTEN?
Let Roadie 4 handle it.
A chromatic tuner can handle DADGAD. If you switch tunings regularly, Roadie 4 can identify each string and turn all three machine heads for you.
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WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES
Three familiar strings. Three deliberate drones.
The middle A–D–G strings stay where you remember them. Shapes using strings 6, 2 or 1 must be reconsidered because each moved down one whole step.
What transfers
✓ Notes on strings 5, 4 and 3 remain unchanged.
✓ Small fragments confined to A–D–G keep their pitches.
✓ The low sixth string still gives Drop D’s D-based landmarks.
What needs checking
— The low and high E strings now sound D.
— The B string now sounds A.
— A familiar shape does not keep its old name automatically.
CHORD & SCALE EXPLORER
Start with five shapes. Then explore.
Fingerings run from the sixth string to the first. The starter view uses actual chord charts; switch tabs to search other complete chords or map a scale across frets 0–15.
These five editorial choices explain the open suspended sound, a compact power chord and three useful harmonic directions.
Each generated chart contains every defining chord tone and passes the current four-fret playability filter.
The high D string is shown at the top and the low D string at the bottom. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
Fret the paired bass notes cleanly, then let the open strings ring. If an open string dies, change your finger angle before adding pressure.
PLAY IT NOW
A four-bar suspended-to-major reveal.
Dsus4 0 0 0 0 0 0 → Gsus2 5 5 0 0 0 0 → A7sus4 7 7 0 0 0 0 → D major 0 0 0 2 0 4
First pass
Strum once per bar and let every note decay. Listen to how the same open D and A strings connect all four shapes.
Second pass
Pick strings 6–4–3–2–1–2–3–4. The final F♯ is the reveal: after three suspended bars, the progression chooses a major colour.
LOW-STRING LANDMARKS
Learn the anchors before the whole neck.
The sixth string is D. Frets 5 and 7 explain the bass movement in the Gsus2 and A7sus4 shapes.
Fret
0
2
3
Note
D
E
F
Fret
5
7
9
Note
G
A
B
Fret
10
12
—
Note
C
D
—
DADGAD VS DOUBLE DROP D
One string changes the harmonic centre.
Double Drop D is D A D G B D. DADGAD lowers string 2 from B to A, removing the ready-made G-major colour and strengthening the suspended D–G–A drone.
Choose Double Drop D
When you want low and high D drones while keeping the standard B string and more familiar middle-string chord information.
Choose DADGAD
When the suspended open-string bed is the point and you want small fretted changes to move against fixed D and A drones.
Compare Double Drop D →FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The practical DADGAD questions.
Is DADGAD an open D chord?
Not a D-major or D-minor chord. The open strings contain D, G and A, making Dsus4; there is no F♯ or F to supply a third.
Do normal chord shapes work in DADGAD?
Only in part. Strings 5, 4 and 3 retain their standard-tuning notes. Any shape using strings 6, 2 or 1 must be reconsidered.
Is DADGAD the same as Double Drop D?
No. Both lower the outside E strings to D, but DADGAD also lowers string 2 from B to A.
How do I return to standard tuning?
Raise strings 6, 2 and 1 by one whole step: D to E, A to B and D to E. Then check all six strings.