Half Step Down Tuning

Mic off

Half step down E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭

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Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

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A4 calibration

440Hz
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  • A Auto detect

Half step down tuning, also called Eb standard, lowers every string by one fret. You play the same shapes as standard tuning, and everything sounds a half step lower and a little darker.

What is half step down tuning?

Each string drops one half step: E becomes Eb, A becomes Ab, D becomes Db, G becomes Gb and B becomes Bb. The strings keep the same distance from each other as in standard tuning, so every chord shape, scale and riff you know works exactly the same way.

Lowering the pitch also lowers the string tension a little, so bends feel easier and the guitar sounds a touch warmer and heavier. It is a favorite in blues and rock, and it can put a song in a more comfortable range for a singer.

Half step down tuning notes

Half step down from the thickest string to the thinnest is E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
6th (thickest)E♭277.78 Hz
5thA♭2103.83 Hz
4thD♭3138.59 Hz
3rdG♭3185.00 Hz
2ndB♭3233.08 Hz
1st (thinnest)E♭4311.13 Hz

How to tune to Half step down

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and change 6 strings:

  1. Lower the 6th string (E) a half step to Eb.
  2. Lower the 5th string (A) a half step to Ab.
  3. Lower the 4th string (D) a half step to Db.
  4. Lower the 3rd string (G) a half step to Gb.
  5. Lower the 2nd string (B) a half step to Bb.
  6. Lower the 1st string (E) a half step to Eb.

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to Half step down. 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 Half step down

  • Bends and vibrato feel easier with slightly looser strings.
  • A darker, heavier sound with no new shapes to learn.
  • Lets you play along with the many recordings tuned a half step down.

Other guitar tunings

Drop DD 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 7-string Drop AA 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

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Half step down tuning FAQ

How do I tune to half step down tuning?

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E). Lower the 6th string (E) a half step to Eb. Lower the 5th string (A) a half step to Ab. Lower the 4th string (D) a half step to Db. Lower the 3rd string (G) a half step to Gb. Lower the 2nd string (B) a half step to Bb. Lower the 1st string (E) a half step to Eb. The tuner on this page is already set to Half step down, so play each string and turn it until it lights up green.

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Raise the 6th string from Eb back to E. Raise the 5th string from Ab back to A. Raise the 4th string from Db back to D. Raise the 3rd string from Gb back to G. Raise the 2nd string from Bb back to B. Raise the 1st string from Eb back to E. Or pick Standard under the tuner and tune each string until it turns green.

Is half step down the same as Eb tuning?

Yes. Half step down, Eb standard and Eb tuning all mean the same thing: every string tuned one fret lower than standard, Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb from low to high.