Verbal Analysis

The "Drop B D Standard" tuning is a heavy and resonant configuration for your guitar, designed to deliver a massive low-end punch. It takes the familiar D Standard tuning (DGCFAD) and further drops the lowest 6th string by three semitones (a step and a half) from D to B. This creates an incredibly deep and dark sonic landscape, making it perfectly suited for genres like doom metal, sludge, djent, or any style that thrives on downtuned, crushing riffs and a powerful rhythmic foundation.

The core of the tuning (strings 5 through 1: G-C-F-A-D) maintains the intervallic relationships of D Standard, providing a degree of familiarity for players accustomed to that setup. However, the significantly lowered 6th string fundamentally alters the feel and harmonic possibilities, inviting a more aggressive and expansive approach to riffing and chord voicings. Its extreme low end can add a unique, guttural character to your sound, pushing the boundaries of typical guitar tunings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning, B-G-C-F-A-D (from lowest 6th string to highest 1st string), deviates significantly from standard tunings. Let's break down the open string notes and their intervals:

• String 6 (B1): The lowest note, providing a deep, rumbling foundation.
• String 5 (G2): A major 6th above the 6th string (B to G is 9 semitones).
• String 4 (C3): A perfect 4th above the 5th string (G to C is 5 semitones).
• String 3 (F3): A perfect 4th above the 4th string (C to F is 5 semitones).
• String 2 (A3): A major 3rd above the 3rd string (F to A is 4 semitones).
• String 1 (D4): A perfect 4th above the 2nd string (A to D is 5 semitones).

The open strings B-G-C-F-A-D do not form a common major or minor chord, suggesting that this tuning is not intended for open chord strumming in a traditional sense. However, its unique intervallic structure opens up interesting possibilities:

• Movable Minor Triads: A particularly powerful feature of this tuning is the ability to play movable minor triads (Root, Perfect 5th, Minor 3rd) by simply barring the lowest three strings (6, 5, and 4) at the same fret. For example:
  • Fretting the 3rd fret across strings 6, 5, and 4 yields D-A-F (D minor).
  • Fretting the 5th fret yields E-B-G (E minor).
  • Fretting the 8th fret yields G-D-Bb (G minor).
  • Fretting the 10th fret yields A-E-C (A minor).
  This makes playing root-5th-minor 3rd shapes incredibly easy and consistent across the fretboard on the lower strings, which is highly advantageous for heavy riffing.
• D Standard Chords: The top five strings (G-C-F-A-D) retain the relative tuning of D Standard. This means any chords or scale shapes you know in D Standard can be applied to these five strings, although the overall pitch will be lower.
• Single-Note Riffs and Power Chords: The extremely low B string is excellent for driving, single-note riffs. While a typical two-string 'drop' power chord (R-P5) is not immediately formed by barring strings 6 and 5 due to the B-G (M6) interval, power chords can still be constructed using other fingerings or by incorporating the 4th string for a deeper sound (as seen with the movable minor triads above, where the P5 is on string 5 and m3 on string 4). The versatility for heavy riffs and the ease of movable minor triads on the lower strings are key strengths here.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Drop B D Standard" tuning, you will be adjusting your strings from standard EADGBe tuning. Please pay careful attention to the number of semitones each string needs to move. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), consider if your string gauge is appropriate to prevent breakage or poor intonation.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier string gauge is strongly advised for optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent potential string damage or poor tone.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A to G.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D to C.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G to F.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D.

String 6: Tuned to B1

String 5: Tuned to G2

String 4: Tuned to C3

String 3: Tuned to F3

String 2: Tuned to A3

String 1: Tuned to D4