The Drop B tuning transforms your guitar into a powerful sonic machine, ideally suited for genres that demand a deep, heavy, and resonant sound. Often found in metal, hard rock, and progressive music, this tuning provides a thick foundation for crushing riffs and intricate low-end melodies. The significant drop in pitch creates a dark, brooding atmosphere, perfect for intense musical expression.

Technical Analysis

Technically, this tuning sets the guitar to B1 F#3 B2 E3 G#4 C#5. This setup deviates significantly from standard tuning, creating unique harmonic possibilities.

• The most striking feature is the ultra-low B1 on the 6th string. This extreme drop creates the 'drop' effect, providing a readily available power chord with the 4th string (B2).
• The intervals between strings are quite unique:
  • 6th string (B1) to 5th string (F#3): An octave and a perfect fifth up.
  • 5th string (F#3) to 4th string (B2): A perfect fifth down. This is an unusual inversion, but forms a strong B power chord with the 6th string.
  • 4th string (B2) to 3rd string (E3): A perfect fourth up.
  • 3rd string (E3) to 2nd string (G#4): An octave and a major third up – a very large interval jump, spanning 15 semitones.
  • 2nd string (G#4) to 1st string (C#5): A perfect fourth up.

• Open Chords & Playing Shapes

  The lowest three strings (B1 F#3 B2) naturally form a strong B power chord (root-fifth-root), allowing for easy, heavy riffing by simply barring across the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings. This makes chunky, low-end riffs incredibly accessible. The higher strings (E3 G#4 C#5) closely resemble the top three strings of a C# minor triad (C# E G#), but in an inverted form (E G# C#). Despite the large interval between the 3rd and 2nd strings, this upper string set still allows for adapting familiar melodic and harmonic shapes similar to standard tuning's G-B-E string set.

How to Tune

To achieve the Drop B tuning, adjust each string as follows. Please ensure you use a reliable tuner.

• String 6: Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3: Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String: Tune down 3 semitones to G#4.
• 1st String: Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

Remember that extreme tension changes (more than 4 semitones up or down) might require a different string gauge for the best playability and to prevent string breakage or neck issues.