This tuning, aptly named "Half step down," is described in its original context as being half a step down from "drop E tuning." However, the provided notes and string movements clearly define it as a standard 6-string guitar where every string has been tuned down by one semitone from standard EADGBe tuning. This results in an overall pitch shift, creating what is commonly known as Eb Standard tuning.

Verbal and Technical Analysis

In "Half step down" tuning, each string is lowered by a single semitone, transforming the standard EADGBe into D#3-G#3-C#4-F#4-A#4-D#5 (or equivalently, Eb3-Ab3-Db4-Gb4-Bb4-Eb5). This tuning preserves all the familiar intervallic relationships between the strings, meaning that all chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios learned in standard tuning remain directly applicable. The fundamental difference is that every note played will sound a half step lower than in standard tuning.

This offers several advantages: it can make the instrument sound heavier and fuller due to the lower pitch, and it can accommodate vocalists who find standard tuning too high for their range. It also makes it straightforward to play songs originally written in Eb Standard or keys based around Eb without the need for a capo or complex transpositions.

The tuning has a strong pedigree in heavy music, notably used by Meshuggah in the song "Shed" from the album Catch Thirty-Three. Emmure also utilized it in "Word of Intulo" off their album Speaker of the Dead, and After the Burial featured it in "To Carry You Away" from In Dreams. These examples underscore its effectiveness in creating a powerful and dark sonic landscape.

Open Chords and Reachable Chords

Because the relative tuning of the strings remains consistent with standard EADGBe, all open chord shapes and barre chord shapes are directly transferable:

• An open E Major chord shape will now sound as an Eb Major chord.
• An open A Major chord shape will now sound as an Ab Major chord.
• An open D Major chord shape will now sound as a Db Major chord.
• An open G Major chord shape will now sound as a Gb Major chord.
• An open C Major chord shape will now sound as a B Major chord.
• Similarly, all minor, dominant 7th, and other common chord voicings will simply be transposed down by a half step.

This ease of transferability allows players to instantly access a new range of keys and tonalities without having to relearn their fretboard extensively.

How to Tune

To tune your guitar to "Half step down" from standard EADGBe, carefully adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitones to G#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitones to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitones to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5.

Given that each string is only lowered by a single semitone, this is a relatively minor adjustment and typically does not necessitate a change in string gauge. However, it's always good practice to check your guitar's intonation after any tuning modification to ensure optimal playability.

6th String (Low E): D#3

5th String (A): G#3

4th String (D): C#4

3rd String (G): F#4

2nd String (B): A#4

1st String (High E): D#5