Alternate Tuning Explorer

How to use alternate tuning tool

Pick a tuning from the dropdown- EADGBE, Drop D, DADGAD, Open G, or Open D. Then choose your key and scale. You will see notes on the fretboard.

I use this when I'm learning a new tuning and need to know where the root notes are.

When to use alternate tunings

Drop D is the easiest to start with - you just tune the 6th string down one whole step. This gives you a heavier low end for rock and metal.

DADGAD is a beautiful open tuning used in fingerstyle and folk. The open strings form a Dsus4 chord, you can strum open strings and they always sound good. Artists like Pierre Bensusan and Andy McKee use it extensively.

Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) and Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) let you play a full major chord by strumming open strings. Great for slide guitar; think Keith Richards.

Finding root notes in alternate tunings

The black dots on the fretboard are your root notes. In any tuning, start your scale from a black dot to hear the tonal center. If you're playing in D with DADGAD tuning, you'll find D root notes on the 6th string open, the 4th string open, and the 3rd string at fret 7.

Related resources

Want to go deeper on DADGAD? Read our DADGAD tuning guide with notes, chords, and common shapes. Or browse the DADGAD basics project for structured lessons.

Need to look up chords in standard tuning? Use the chord finder or browse the chord dictionary.

Questions about alternate tunings

What is DADGAD tuning?

DADGAD tuning means the 6 strings from low to high are D-A-D-G-A-D. It's an open tuning where the open strings form a Dsus4 chord. It's popular in Celtic folk, fingerstyle, and ambient music.

What is Drop D tuning?

Drop D tuning means the 6th string (low E) is tuned down to D, while all other strings stay the same: D-A-D-G-B-E. It's the simplest alternate tuning and lets you play power chords by barring one finger across the bottom three strings.

What is Open G tuning?

Open G tuning is D-G-D-G-B-D. When you strum all open strings, you hear a G major chord. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones famously uses Open G (often removing the 6th string entirely). It's also common in slide guitar and blues.

What is Open D tuning?

Open D tuning is D-A-D-F#-A-D. Strumming open strings gives you a D major chord. It's related to Open G - if you capo Open D at the 5th fret, you get Open G voicings. It's used in slide guitar, folk, and blues.