D Standard (whole-step down) Tuning

String frequencies

This table shows this page’s tuning. A4 and note names follow settings. Press ▶ to hear a target; if you change the tool tuning, follow the targets in the card.

D Standard (whole-step down) · Reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz
Note	Frequency
D2	73.42 Hz
G2	98.00 Hz
C3	130.81 Hz
F3	174.61 Hz
A3	220.00 Hz
D4	293.66 Hz

How to get there from Standard

string 6 E2 ↓ D2 · 2 semitones
string 5 A2 ↓ G2 · 2 semitones
string 4 D3 ↓ C3 · 2 semitones
string 3 G3 ↓ F3 · 2 semitones
string 2 B3 ↓ A3 · 2 semitones
string 1 E4 ↓ D4 · 2 semitones

Styles & songs

Grunge · Rock · Metal

D Standard lowers every string by two semitones. It preserves Standard intervals, so familiar shapes sound a whole step lower.

Come As You Are — Nirvana

FAQ

How is this different from Drop D?

Both have D2 at the bottom, but D Standard uses G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 above it. Drop D keeps A2 D3 G3 B3 E4.

Can I use Standard chord shapes?

Yes. All six strings move by the same amount, so the shapes remain valid and sound two semitones lower.

Do I need to recheck the strings?

Yes. Retuning all six changes total tension. Work in small steps, then make another pass through all strings.

Other tunings

Last updated: Oct 20, 2026