Half step down tuner
Tune your guitar to Half step down (also called E♭ tuning): E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭, from the thickest string to the thinnest. The tuner above is already set to Half step down, so just tap Use microphone and play each string until it turns green.
Half step down tuning notes
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (thickest) | E♭2 | 77.78 Hz |
| 5th | A♭2 | 103.83 Hz |
| 4th | D♭3 | 138.59 Hz |
| 3rd | G♭3 | 185.00 Hz |
| 2nd | B♭3 | 233.08 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | E♭4 | 311.13 Hz |
Frequencies assume the standard reference pitch of A4 = 440 Hz.
How to get to Half step down from standard
- Loosen the 6th string from E down a half step to E♭.
- Loosen the 5th string from A down a half step to A♭.
- Loosen the 4th string from D down a half step to D♭.
- Loosen the 3rd string from G down a half step to G♭.
- Loosen the 2nd string from B down a half step to B♭.
- Loosen the 1st string from E down a half step to E♭.
Every string changes. Retune slowly and check each string twice, because changing the tension on one pulls slightly on the others.
What Half step down is good for
Every string drops a semitone. Strings feel slacker, bends are easier, and singers get a little more room at the top of their range.
Songs you can play in it include:
- Sweet Child o' Mine (Guns N' Roses)
- Pride and Joy (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
- Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)
Other guitar tunings
| Tuning | Notes | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | E A D G B E | The default for almost everything. |
| Half step down | E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ | Every string drops a semitone. |
| Whole step down | D G C F A D | Two semitones lower than standard. |
| C standard | C F B♭ E♭ G C | Every string two whole steps below standard. |
| B standard | B E A D F♯ B | Two and a half steps below standard, so the guitar sits close to a baritone. |
| Drop D | D A D G B E | Only the low E string changes. |
| Drop C♯ | D♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ | Drop D taken down another semitone, so every string is a half step below Drop D. |
| Drop C | C G C F A D | Drop D taken down a whole step. |
| Drop B | B F♯ B E G♯ C♯ | C♯ standard with the low string dropped to B. |
| Open G | D G D G B D | Strumming the open strings plays a G major chord, so a single finger across the neck gives you any major chord. |
| Open D | D A D F♯ A D | The open strings ring out a D major chord. |
| Open E | E B E G♯ B E | The open strings form an E major chord. |
| Open C | C G C G C E | A very low, wide C major chord across the open strings. |
| Open A | E A E A C♯ E | The open strings ring an A major chord. |
| DADGAD | D A D G A D | Neither major nor minor, so open strings drone underneath melodies. |
Gear that helps
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Half step down tuning questions
What notes are in Half step down tuning?
From the 6th string to the 1st, Half step down is E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭.
How do I tune my guitar to Half step down?
Start in standard tuning, pick Half step down in the tuner, then play each string and follow Tune up or Tune down until the note turns green. 6 strings change.
How do I get back to standard tuning?
Choose Standard in the tuning menu, or open the guitar tuner, and tune each string back to E A D G B E.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It works in Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android, as well as desktop browsers. Hold the phone close to the instrument and allow microphone access when asked.