DADGAD Tuning (D A D G A D)

DADGAD tunes the strings from low to high to D A D G A D. From standard you lower strings 6, 2 and 1 a whole step each; strings 5, 4 and 3 stay. Strummed open, the strings sound a Dsus4 chord.

Strings 6 → 1: D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4
From standard: Strings 6 2 1 down a whole step
Open strings: Dsus4 (D G A)

Tuner · DADGAD

A4 · 440 Hz

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Mic off

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Auto string detect

Uses your microphone. Audio stays on this device. No mic? Tap a string to hear its note.

TuningD A D G A D

Strings · tap to hear

Retune from standard to DADGAD

String 6: E2 → D2, down 2 semitones (whole step) · tension −21 %
String 5: A2 → A2, no change
String 4: D3 → D3, no change
String 3: G3 → G3, no change
String 2: B3 → A3, down 2 semitones (whole step) · tension −21 %
String 1: E4 → D4, down 2 semitones (whole step) · tension −21 %

Already in Open D (D A D F♯ A D)? Only string 3 changes: F♯3 → G3, up 1 semitone (half step).

Already in DADFAD (open D minor) (D A D F A D)? Only string 3 changes: F3 → G3, up 2 semitones (whole step).

The tuner above is locked to D A D G A D, so each string reads against its own target. Tap a string button to hear its note.

Chord shapes in DADGAD

Frets are listed from string 6 to string 1 (× = do not play). The notes line is what each string sounds in this tuning.

Dsus4 · all open

Frets 0 0 0 0 0 0

D A D G A D

Isus4 (home sound). Strum all six strings. This is the sound of the tuning.

D · two fingers

Frets 0 0 4 2 0 0

D A F♯ A A D

I (home chord). Fret 4 on string 4 gives F♯; fret 2 on string 3 turns G into A. Now the chord is major.

G · low root at fret 5

Frets 5 5 0 0 2 0

G D D G B D

IV. Ring finger flat on strings 6 and 5 at fret 5, index on string 2 at fret 2 for the B.

A · barre fret 2

Frets × 0 2 2 4 2

× A E A C♯ E

V. Index flat across strings 4 to 1 at fret 2, pinky on string 2 at fret 4 for the C♯. Skip string 6.

Bm · barre fret 2

Frets × 2 4 4 2 0

× B F♯ B B D

vi. Index across strings 5 to 2 at fret 2, ring and pinky on strings 4 and 3 at fret 4; string 1 open.

Em · three fingers

Frets × × 2 0 2 2

× × E G B E

ii. Fret 2 on strings 4, 2 and 1; string 3 open. Strum strings 4 to 1.

Why DADGAD sounds neither major nor minor

A major or minor chord needs a third: F♯ for D major, F for D minor. DADGAD has neither. Its open strings are D, A and G: root, fifth and fourth, a suspended chord (Dsus4) that leaves the mood open.

That gap is the point. A melody in D major (with F♯) and a melody in D minor (with F) both sit over the same open drone, so one tuning covers bright reels and dark airs. The fretted notes decide the mood; the open strings never contradict them.

Strings 3, 2 and 1 are G, A and D, notes a whole step and a fourth apart. Melodies that alternate fretted notes with these open strings ring over each other like a harp, the "cascading" sound DADGAD players chase.

Note	Open strings
D	3 of 6
G	1 of 6
A	2 of 6

What DADGAD is used for

Celtic and folk fingerstyle: Irish, Scottish and Breton tunes, which often sit in D and switch between major and modal colours. The British guitarist Davy Graham brought the tuning into folk guitar in the 1960s.

Rock and singer-songwriter music: Jimmy Page used DADGAD for "Kashmir" and "Black Mountain Side" with Led Zeppelin, and it is a common choice for accompanying a voice with open, droning chords.

Playing in DADGAD: practical notes

Tension: three strings go down a whole step and none go up, so the guitar is a little slacker than in standard. It is safe on any guitar, including classical.

Capo: capo 2 gives EBEABE for tunes in E, capo 5 gives GDGCDG for tunes in G, and capo 7 puts the drone on A. All the shapes above move with the capo.

From open D you only raise string 3 a half step (F♯ to G); from drop D you lower strings 2 and 1. Back to standard: raise strings 6, 2 and 1 a whole step and recheck all six.

Songs in DADGAD

Kashmir · Led Zeppelin
Jimmy Page plays it in DADGAD.
Black Mountain Side · Led Zeppelin
An acoustic instrumental in DADGAD.

FAQ

Is DADGAD major or minor?

Neither. The open strings are D, A and G, with no F or F♯, so they form Dsus4. Fret an F♯ for major or an F for minor and the chord follows.

Which strings change from standard?

Three, all down a whole step: string 6 from E to D, string 2 from B to A and string 1 from E to D. Strings 5, 4 and 3 stay A, D, G.

What is the difference between DADGAD and open D?

Only string 3: G in DADGAD, F♯ in open D. Open D is a D major chord; DADGAD is Dsus4. Lower string 3 a half step and you are in open D.

The key of G majoropen G and D strings for Celtic tunes
Standard tuning (EADGBE)back to the reference tuning
The key of D majorD drones on three open strings
Guitar tunerswitch tunings, or tune back to standard
Capo calculator and chord transposercapo shapes for any key
Chord finder (chord namer)name a shape you find in this tuning
All guitar tuningsopen, drop and modal, compared