dropped d

An alternate guitar tuning in which the lowest string is tuned down one whole step. Common in most forms of heavy metal. Makes it easier to play a power chord; the guitarist can simply lay one finger across the lowest three strings. Looked down upon for its facility, but powerful in the hands of a skilled guitarist (examples: Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine).

Often misspelled 'drop D' due to the assimilation of the d at the end of 'dropped' and the D at the beginning of 'D'.

-I'm trying to play along with this Soundgarden song but my guitar doesn't go low enough. WTF?
-You need to tune to dropped D.

dropped d by Smokey Q Rivers June 26, 2008

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Dropped D Tuned Down One Whole Step

An alternate tuning for the guitar, CGCFAD as opposed to EADGBE. More commonly (and mistakenly) referred to as Drop C.

Many bands utilize this particular tuning, including, but not limited to, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, System of a Down, Children of Bodom, Lostprophets, Breaking Benjamin, Bullet For My Valentine, Rammstein, Atreyu, Senses Fail, From First To Last, Metallica, Norma Jean, Thrice, A7X, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

Bill: "Dude, I love how Atreyu plays all of their songs in Drop C!"
Bob: "No man, they play in Dropped D Tuned Down One Whole Step."
Bill: "Dude, that's a long ass name. Lets just call it Drop C."
Bob: "OK."

Dropped D Tuned Down One Whole Step by jeauxzuf January 5, 2009