First tune the guitar to pitch and then loosen the strings to obtain the one step drop, E (6th) becomes D, A (5th) becomes G; D (4th) becomes C, G (3rd) becomes F; B (2nd) becomes A; and E (1st) becomes D.
What does tuning down a step mean?
As we're tuning down a whole step (also known as a whole tone), that's the equivalent of tuning down two fret positions, so all we need to do is first get that low E string tuned down to D. D can be found on the A string at fret 5. Simply fret the A string at fret 5 and tune down the open low E string until it matches.
Why do people tune guitars a half step down?
Tuning down lowers string tension, which changes the harmonics of the string vibration, generally giving the guitar an overall darker tone. Bands will often play live with their songs transposed down half a step.
What is one step down on guitar?
The low E string is tuned down one whole step (to D) and the rest of the strings remain in standard tuning. This creates an "open power chord" (three-note fifth) with the low three strings (DAD). There also exists double-drop D tuning, in which both E strings are down-tuned a whole step (to D).
Is half step down better?
One advantage to playing a half-step down is it makes the strings much easier to bend, so if you play in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughn or Albert King the slacker string tension makes the extreme bends quite a bit easier to pull off—especially over the course of a 2 or 3 set evening.
Why did Jimi Hendrix tune down?
Another reason I have heard put forward is that when the strings are looser they are easier to bend, and Hendrix does bend A LOT and that sounds beautiful to me. And one can definitely bend the strings more readily with that slack. That cool tone is the reason most cited to me as to why Jimi tuned down to Eb.Feb 5, 2019