Topic: Drop D tuning (Read 29071 times)

Hunter · « **on:** 26 Dec 2006, 12:13 »

I know there are a hundred and one sites for drop D tuning, but i still don't know what to do. Can anyone explain it to me in human words?

The song in question is this one : http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/j/jets_to_brazil/sea_anemone_tab.htm

Is it also true that hand oils make guitar strings greasy?

Cartilage Head · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 12:15 »

Drop D Tuning = Nu-Metal.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 12:24 »

I'm a guitar n00b, (just started playing bass guitar a few weeks ago) but as I understand it, Dropped D is basically standard tuning with the bottom (E) string tuned down a step. In other words, DAGD.

I'm pretty sure this is what the tab is calling for.

Shadow of the Sun · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 16:32 »

It isn't Nu Metal- If Zakk Wylde uses it, is can't be. Drop D is used because it means you can play power chords with just one finger.

elcapitan · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 17:18 »

Quote from: David_Dovey on 26 Dec 2006, 12:24

I'm a guitar n00b, (just started playing bass guitar a few weeks ago) but as I understand it, Dropped D is basically standard tuning with the bottom (E) string tuned down a step. In other words, DAGD.

I'm pretty sure this is what the tab is calling for.

Yep, that's all it is. Tune your bottom E down to a D. If you don't have a tuner handy, and your ear isn't good, you can check your tuning by fingering the bottom string at the 7th fret - this should be an A, and hence should sound the same as the second-bottom string.

Hat · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 17:43 »

Quote from: Shadow of the Sun on 26 Dec 2006, 16:32

It isn't Nu Metal- If Zakk Wylde uses it, is can't be.

Just because Zakk Wylde does something doesn't mean that it isn't piss-weak.

In fact the only REALLY impressive thing Zakk Wylde is capable of is holding up his giant fucking guitar.

valley_parade · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 18:11 »

The tuning you're looking for is DADGBE.

Were this not for a JTB song, I would demand you hand over your SG.

moley · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 19:31 »

use the 7th fret on your usual E string, and tune it down to your A string. you want the A on the 7th fret of your 6th string to make it D when it is open. my sound a bit confusing if you're really that new to guitar, but the two main purposes for playing in drop D is 1 (as previously stated) to play power chords with one finger and 2) to get access to a couple of lower notes on the instrument. there are a lot of other tunings as well, another popular one is drop D dropped a step, or CGCFAD. and ignore those guys, nu-metal is a genre created by fools, there's metal and heavy metal, if it doesn't fit one of those then it's not metal.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 21:42 »

Quote from: Sam on 26 Dec 2006, 20:46

Quote from: valley_parade on 26 Dec 2006, 18:11
The tuning you're looking for is DADGBE.

Were this not for a JTB song, I would demand you hand over your SG.
Yeah; real men use CGCF.

no, they use AEADFB (or whatever the fuck Drop A is in)

valley_parade · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Dec 2006, 22:08 »

Real men stand infront of a mic and yell out the notes they're playing.

Johnny C · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 00:58 »

Real men don't do anything, but if you say they aren't playing music you get brass knucks to your fucking face.

Hat · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 04:39 »

Real men just stand on stage and progressivly detune their guitars untill all the strings fall off.

moley · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 04:59 »

real man stand on stage an masturbate into a crowd of women.

NiMRoD420 · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 05:01 »

Alright, I'm fucking sick of people associating Drop-d with solely nu-metal. That's as cliche as... any of the innumerable things you could mention that are cliche.

Drop-d tuning has been around almost as long as the guitar itself, I used to play with my college's classical guitar ensemble, and we used fucking drop d-tuning for some of the pieces. It's just a musical tool, and like any other tool, it can be used poorly or properly.

Korn has sucked since 1998, this is true! But that's NOT the tuning's fault.

Make sure your 7th fret on the sixth (that's the lowest) string is equal to the open fifth string. They should both be an A. Bam! Drop D tuning.

And one more thing... Zakk Wylde's way overrated.

Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 06:16 »

I think i got it. Thanks for the tips. And Veep: If it wasnt for the miles between us, you'd wake up with stubs!

Drink your coffee through a straw bitch!

positive+ · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 07:01 »

"Real men" arent allowed to play music unless its taking the piss.....apparantly
Drop-D tuning is great....especially when you change the tuning of the top three strings as well.....
although that can sound really good with standard tuning too!

valley_parade · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 07:43 »

Quote from: Hunter on 27 Dec 2006, 06:16

I think i got it. Thanks for the tips. And Veep: If it wasnt for the miles between us, you'd wake up with stubs!

Drink your coffee through a straw bitch!

I prefer tea, my good man.

Storm Rider · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 07:49 »

Quote from: moley on 27 Dec 2006, 04:59

real man stand on stage an masturbate into a crowd of women.

Dax Riggs fits into this category, so it gets my approval.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 08:35 »

Quote from: valley_parade on 26 Dec 2006, 18:11

The tuning you're looking for is DADGBE.

Were this not for a JTB song, I would demand you hand over your SG.

Right, guitar=six strings

My bad.

CutMan · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 14:40 »

Quote from: hey_there_fatty on 26 Dec 2006, 12:15

Drop D Tuning = Nu-Metal.

This post... It needs to go down in history, it needs to be on a poster.

Maybe someday you'll know anything at all about playing guitar, then you can look back on this and cry.

Besides, C is way more popular in nu-metal as of late. Or atleast it is in metalcore... I'm pretty sure nu-metal.

valley_parade · « **Reply #20 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 19:06 »

Page Hamilton's a fuckwad.

Actually he's just a Yankee fan. But he doesn't have to proclaim it to thousands of kids when he's all of about 40 minutes outside of Boston.

All in all, Helmet is still a pretty good live show.

Thrillho · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 22:18 »

Quote from: Hat on 27 Dec 2006, 04:39

Real men just stand on stage and progressivly detune their guitars untill all the strings fall off.

Which would make Syd Barrett one hell of a man.

Will · « **Reply #22 on:** 27 Dec 2006, 22:25 »

Quote from: valley_parade on 26 Dec 2006, 22:08

Real men stand infront of a mic and yell out the notes they're playing.

On a slightly related note, I remember one show I was playing with my old band. Due to a slight mishap involving the drumset and a bit of rage, my trombone fell into several pieces right in the middle of our first song, so I ended up just playing the rest of the show my singing/growling the parts that I would normally be playing.

Were this a guitar that had broken, I may have become a "real man" but alas, 'twas but a silly horn. So it goes.

CutMan · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 07:43 »

Quote from: tommydski on 27 Dec 2006, 19:04

Oh wow. They use drop D apparrantly. It must be a bad tuning. This discredits drop D completely. Forget the folk bands that used it way back there in history. Forget the proggressive bands that use it. And most of all, forget what it's actually capable of.

How tragic. XD

Hunter · « **Reply #24 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 09:08 »

Thanks H_T_F, one comment and we get a skirmish from the folks.

CutMan · « **Reply #25 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 11:06 »

Quote from: tommydski on 28 Dec 2006, 08:49

That wasn't a response to your post.
I didn't read your post until just now.

I think that Helmet album is a good album.
We were making the same point surely? That it is not the sole premise of crap nu-metal as was suggested.

Ah, then we are. I totally thought you were actually using that Helmet CD as some sort of negative example, whoopsy.

I'll check out that album now, I'm curious.

jeph · « **Reply #26 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 13:02 »

You idiots are arguing about a GUITAR TUNING.

This is like arguing about WHAT FONT WIKIPEDIA USES.

What a bunch of worthless bullshit.

Storm Rider · « **Reply #27 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 13:07 »

All real educational tools use Times New Roman. Who's fucking idea was it to use Arial?

Amateurs.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #28 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 13:18 »

Times New Roman makes me cry. What an ugly fucking font.

Hat · « **Reply #29 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 14:18 »

God you're all fucking idiots. The only reason you don't want to use STOMP_Shlop is because you're all fucking idiots.

Goddamn.

CutMan · « **Reply #30 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 15:17 »

Quote from: jeph on 28 Dec 2006, 13:02

You idiots are arguing about a GUITAR TUNING.

This is like arguing about WHAT FONT WIKIPEDIA USES.

What a bunch of worthless bullshit.

But Jeph, everyone knows the font Wiki uses is utter bullshit.

Atleast, all the cool people do.

Hat · « **Reply #31 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 16:28 »

YOU SHUT YOUR GODDAMNED MOUTH

CutMan · « **Reply #32 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 01:08 »

Aw, Tommy, where's the maniacal laughter? There should've been maniacal laughter.

Will · « **Reply #33 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 01:16 »

Tommy is now de-bearded, rendering him incapable of maniacal laughter...or so I've been told...

timehat · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 01:39 »

Quote from: Hat on 27 Dec 2006, 04:39

Real men just stand on stage and progressivly detune their guitars untill all the strings fall off.

This must be the funniest thing I have read all day.

Anyway, I don't use drop D myself, but there are bands who I appreciate greatly who use it sometimes or all the time who certainly aren't nu-metal: Opeth, Pain of Salvation, Porcupine Tree. So, if it works for them, good. Personally, I keep learning too many chords in standard tuning to even try to bother with learning another tuning system.

Will · « **Reply #35 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 01:46 »

I can't play guitar for shit, but I'm wondering if Drop D, or any other tuning for that matter, would be in any way similar to the F-attachment that you have on higher-end model trombones. Bear with me here, this is the only instrument I really know:

On a "triggered" trombone, you basically have a special piping assembly that lets the musician press a trigger to "cheat" and play certain notes without having to move the slide aaaaall the way out. This can either make the horn player in question a lazy sack of crap that uses the trigger for EVERTYHING, or in the hands of someone with a certain degree of skill it can add a significantly greater range of notes, and decrease the physical limitations of the instrument, making the artists' repertoire that much greater. Long story short, it can be either a tool or a crutch depending on how you use it.

(and with that, I officially make my most pathetically nerdy post in my short life on these forums)

Wouldn't the drop tuning for a guitar be much the same?

timehat · « **Reply #36 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 02:07 »

I think analogy holds some truth, but the thing about drop D is that it doesn't actually make everything easier, it's just better for certain things. There are some things that would actually be made harder, as I pointed out once in another thread about drop D we had some time ago.

NiMRoD420 · « **Reply #37 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 05:09 »

Yeah, that works, but I think the triggered trombone is more akin to a "triggered" drum kit. With a triggered kit, a drummer can barely hit a drum and still generate the full good sound - because it's attached to a MIDI-sequence loop device. Some use it to play the simple shit they can do anyway - others, like Nick Barker, use it to play things with ungodly speed and precision that normally wouldn't work. This is simply because the envelope of each drum hit would have too slow of a decay rate and it would all sound like contorted fuzz shit instead of an ultra precise staccatto blast beat or machine gun burst of double bass.

jeph · « **Reply #38 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 07:04 »

Quote from: tommydski on 29 Dec 2006, 00:32

Quote from: jeph on 28 Dec 2006, 13:02
You idiots are arguing about a GUITAR TUNING.

ON YOUR MUSIC FORUM.

WHO'S THE IDIOT NOW JACQUES?!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

NiMRoD420 · « **Reply #39 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 07:07 »

Pwn3d... on your own phorum. The hideous, electronically-disfiguring shame.

Hunter · « **Reply #40 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 11:53 »

I was gonna ask for a mod to lock this but now that tommy posted in it it has to live until every argument has settled.

So, uh, i heard Mister Band needs a guitar player.

Kai · « **Reply #41 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 11:55 »

NEVER SAY THAT MY HAIRCUT IS LIKE A GAY MEXICAN CAR

CutMan · « **Reply #42 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 13:41 »

You...You mean you aren't a gay Mexican car? I am SO SORRY! My god, I didn't know, I am so sorry!

Thrillho · « **Reply #43 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 21:56 »

Quote from: timehat on 29 Dec 2006, 02:07

I think analogy holds some truth, but the thing about drop D is that it doesn't actually make everything easier, it's just better for certain things. There are some things that would actually be made harder, as I pointed out once in another thread about drop D we had some time ago.

Well, exactly. (Screw you jeph, I'm debating it!) This 'Drop D makes it easier' stuff has always been bullshit. I've played mostly in Open D today. That makes me a pussy because I only need one finger to play a chord. Never mind the fact that playing a minor chord is now stupidly annoying, it's the pussyness that counts...

Johnny C · « **Reply #44 on:** 29 Dec 2006, 23:32 »

Quote from: Kai on 29 Dec 2006, 11:55

NEVER SAY THAT MY HAIRCUT IS LIKE A GAY MEXICAN CAR

TAKE IT BACK OR I'LL CUT YOU TO RAGS AND FEED YOUR SALTED DICK TO A DOG

NiMRoD420 · « **Reply #45 on:** 30 Dec 2006, 01:48 »

...Do you cut him to rags first, or salt his dick first? I wonder if rigor mortis would alter the effectiveness of the salting.

CutMan · « **Reply #46 on:** 30 Dec 2006, 02:22 »

In truth, no down-tuning is inferior. It's not like you suddenly have less playing ability. You can do just as much with drop D, C#, C, B, B-flat, and A as you can with standard. <---Did I leave any out? And I wasn't sure if I should even count E-flat, so I didn't.

Well, other than basic chords, but that's where standard-D and such come into play...

NiMRoD420 · « **Reply #47 on:** 30 Dec 2006, 02:25 »

E-flat doesn't count because that's what Hendrix used. Don't question my logic.

Thrillho · « **Reply #48 on:** 31 Dec 2006, 02:14 »

E-flat sort of counts because it genuinely makes the strings slightly slacker without a great deal of pitch change. That could be one of the few tunings that DOES make some things easier than others.

NiMRoD420 · « **Reply #49 on:** 31 Dec 2006, 03:34 »

That is definitely true. At a certain point string bends get harder as the slackness increases though. Ever try it in drop-c? Fuck! I usually play in standard, and I do a lot of bends, so I play .9 guage strings. I went to audition for the lead guitar spot in this local melodic death metal band, and they had me tune down to c, and I thought the bridge was going to fall off or something. I definitely dislike playing at that level of detunation.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Drop D tuning (Read 29071 times)

Shadow of the Sun

NiMRoD420

positive+

timehat

timehat

NiMRoD420

NiMRoD420

NiMRoD420

NiMRoD420

NiMRoD420