7-String Drop A Tuning

Mic off

7-string Drop A A E A D G B E

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

Detect string

A4 calibration

440Hz
  • Space Start / stop
  • 1-7 Play a string
  • A Auto detect

Drop A on a 7-string guitar is A E A D G B E: 7-string standard with the low B dropped a whole step to A. It is the 7-string version of Drop D.

What is 7-string Drop A tuning?

Only the 7th string changes. Tune it down two frets from B to A and the bottom three strings become A, E and A, so one finger across them plays a power chord.

Like Drop D on a six-string, you can switch to Drop A and back in seconds, and the top six strings stay in standard tuning.

7-string Drop A tuning notes

7-string Drop A from the thickest string to the thinnest is A E A D G B E. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
7th (thickest)A155.00 Hz
6thE282.41 Hz
5thA2110.00 Hz
4thD3146.83 Hz
3rdG3196.00 Hz
2ndB3246.94 Hz
1st (thinnest)E4329.63 Hz

How to tune to 7-string Drop A

Start from standard tuning (B E A D G B E) and change one string:

  1. Lower the 7th string (B) a whole step to A.

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to 7-string Drop A. Press the mic button, play each open string and let it ring, then turn the tuning peg until the string lights up green. When you lower a string, go a little below the note and tune back up to it so it stays in tune.

Why guitarists use 7-string Drop A

  • One-finger power chords at the very bottom of the guitar.
  • Only one string changes, so it is quick to switch.
  • A huge low end for modern metal.

Learn to play in 7-string Drop A

Hear it played and try it yourself with these video lessons from the Infinite Guitar library:

7-String Metal Riffs - Part 1 Sean Conklin 7-String Metal Riffs - Part 2 Sean Conklin 7-String Metal Riffs - Performance Sean Conklin

Other guitar tunings

Drop DD A D G B E Half step downE♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ D standardD G C F A D Drop CC G C F A D Drop C#C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯ Drop BB F♯ B E G♯ C♯ DADGADD A D G A D Open GD G D G B D Open DD A D F♯ A D Open EE B E G♯ B E Open CC G C G C E 7-string standardB E A D G B E 8-string standardF♯ B E A D G B E 9-string standardC♯ F♯ B E A D G B E

Back to the online guitar tuner

7-string Drop A tuning FAQ

How do I tune to 7-string Drop A tuning?

Start from standard tuning (B E A D G B E). Lower the 7th string (B) a whole step to A. The tuner on this page is already set to 7-string Drop A, so play each string and turn it until it lights up green.

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Raise the 7th string from A back to B. Or pick Standard under the tuner and tune each string until it turns green.

Can I use Drop A on a 6-string guitar?

Yes, but it is a different tuning: on a six-string Drop A is A E A D F# B, every string two and a half steps lower than Drop D. On a seven-string you only move the low B.