Half step down tuning: E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭
Free online tuner, set to E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ — press Start tuner and play a string
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4.2 (6)What half step down tuning is for
Half step down, also called E♭ standard, lowers all six strings by one semitone. The shapes and the intervals between the strings stay exactly as in standard tuning, so every chord and scale you know still fits; it all just sounds a half step lower. Players use it for a warmer, heavier tone, slightly slacker strings that bend more easily, and to sit a song lower for a singer.
Press Start tuner above, allow the microphone and play one open string at a time. The tuner is already set to half step down, so in Auto mode it picks the nearest string and shows how many cents sharp or flat it is; switch to Manual to aim at one string. Bring each string up to the note from below, which helps it hold.
The strings: E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭
Thickest string first, with the frequency at the standard A = 440 Hz. Each note opens the tuning drone on that pitch, for tuning by ear.
| String | Note | Frequency | From standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | E♭2 | 77.78 Hz | down a half step (1 fret) from E2 |
| 5th | A♭2 | 103.83 Hz | down a half step (1 fret) from A2 |
| 4th | D♭3 | 138.59 Hz | down a half step (1 fret) from D3 |
| 3rd | G♭3 | 185.00 Hz | down a half step (1 fret) from G3 |
| 2nd | B♭3 | 233.08 Hz | down a half step (1 fret) from B3 |
| 1st | E♭4 | 311.13 Hz | down a half step (1 fret) from E4 |
How to get there from standard tuning
- Tune every string down a half step (1 fret): E2 → E♭2, A2 → A♭2, D3 → D♭3, G3 → G♭3, B3 → B♭3, E4 → E♭4.
Check it by ear
Once one string is right, each neighbouring string can be checked against it — the beating between the two notes slows and stops when they agree.
- Press the 6th string (E♭2) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 5th string (A♭2).
- Press the 5th string (A♭2) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 4th string (D♭3).
- Press the 4th string (D♭3) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 3rd string (G♭3).
- Press the 3rd string (G♭3) at the 4th fret: it should match the open 2nd string (B♭3).
- Press the 2nd string (B♭3) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 1st string (E♭4).
Songs in half step down tuning
Well-known recordings in this tuning. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses
- Little Wing — Jimi Hendrix
- Pride and Joy — Stevie Ray Vaughan
More about half step down tuning
View scores on MuseScore
What musicians say
- 5★4
- 4★1
- 3★0
- 2★0
- 1★1
Cool, though basic
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of half step down tuning?
- From the thickest string to the thinnest: E♭2 (6th), A♭2 (5th), D♭3 (4th), G♭3 (3rd), B♭3 (2nd), E♭4 (1st). At A = 440 Hz that is E♭2 77.78 Hz, A♭2 103.83 Hz, D♭3 138.59 Hz, G♭3 185.00 Hz, B♭3 233.08 Hz, E♭4 311.13 Hz.
- How do I tune to half step down tuning from standard?
- Tune every string down a half step (1 fret): E2 → E♭2, A2 → A♭2, D3 → D♭3, G3 → G♭3, B3 → B♭3, E4 → E♭4. Use the tuner above, set to half step down, or check by ear with the fret method on this page.
- Can I use a chromatic tuner for half step down tuning?
- Yes. A chromatic tuner reads any note, so aim each string at E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ in turn. This tuner has a half step down preset, so it shows the target for each string and picks the nearest one for you.
- What songs use half step down tuning?
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses, “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix, “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan are well-known examples. Each title on this page opens its sheet music on MuseScore.