• Join the A7X Discord!

    We're updating the community and moving all social content from the community to the Discord. All lessons related conversations will still take place here though! Join the Discord below and view the full announcement for more details

    JOIN THE DISCORD VIEW THREAD

Playing Drop D songs in D standard

Pedro Moreira

New Student
Nov 11, 2019
2
2
Hi guys

I only have one guitar, it is tuned to E standard and i don't want to change the tuning. My plan is to buy a second guitar that i will always have tuned to Drop D.

While i don't buy that second guitar, can i use the Digitech Drop pedal with my E standard guitar to play Drop D songs?

I mean by lowering the tuning by a whole step and playing in D Standard

Thank you for your help
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dominik Gräber

Ed Seith

Supreme Galactic Overlord
Staff member
Legend+
  • Nov 11, 2019
    3,882
    15
    6,602
    53
    Marana, AZ USA
    soundcloud.com
    35
    Depending on the song, it could make it VERY hard to play. One of the benefits of drop d tuning is that you can play power chords with one finger, and typically that is used to do a lot of fast chording.

    If the guitar has a fixed bridge (no whammy bar), switching between standard and drop D is a 15-second thing.
     
    • Love
    Reactions: Alicia Willis

    Pedro Moreira

    New Student
    Nov 11, 2019
    2
    2
    Depending on the song, it could make it VERY hard to play. One of the benefits of drop d tuning is that you can play power chords with one finger, and typically that is used to do a lot of fast chording.

    If the guitar has a fixed bridge (no whammy bar), switching between standard and drop D is a 15-second thing.

    It's not a fixed bridge guitar, that's why i don't want to change the tuning from E standard. It's a 2011 black Schecter Synyster Gates Deluxe.

    Maybe i should just play E standard songs, and use a drop pedal to play Eb Standard, D Standard, C Standard, etc.

    And then get a fixed bridge guitar, and tune it to Drop D, that way using the pedal i will be able to play in Drop D, Drop C, Drop B, etc.

    Do you recommend any fixed bridge guitar for playing in Drop tunings?

    Drop D is just the low E string dropped two frets. Some riffs can be an absolute nightmare if you play them in D standard

    ok, then i should get a second guitar for playing in drop tunings (y)
     
    • Like
    Reactions: idssdi

    Dominik Gräber

    Hot Topic Tourer
    Contest Winner!
  • Nov 11, 2019
    2,787
    1
    5,990
    25
    Saarland
    www.instagram.com
    6
    Hi guys

    I only have one guitar, it is tuned to E standard and i don't want to change the tuning. My plan is to buy a second guitar that i will always have tuned to Drop D.

    While i don't buy that second guitar, can i use the Digitech Drop pedal with my E standard guitar to play Drop D songs?

    I mean by lowering the tuning by a whole step and playing in D Standard

    Thank you for your help
    That's how I do it. One in standard, one in drop D + the drop Pedal.
    Never thought about playing drop D Songs in D Standard. Actually I think that might Not be so Bad after all. But of course that only works more or less when the Song doesn't involve playing Open Strings.
     
    Synner Endless Summer Collection

    Alicia Willis

    Moderator
    Legend+
  • Nov 11, 2019
    1,382
    2
    5,151
    34
    Lexington, South Carolina
    5
    Depending on the song, it could make it VERY hard to play. One of the benefits of drop d tuning is that you can play power chords with one finger, and typically that is used to do a lot of fast chording.

    If the guitar has a fixed bridge (no whammy bar), switching between standard and drop D is a 15-second thing.
    Glad you put that last tidbit in there 😂
    You saved me when I was trying to drop tune with my trem bridge Lol.
     
    • Haha
    Reactions: Ed Seith

    Calvin Phillips

    Music Theory Bragger
    Nov 11, 2019
    2,588
    1,988
    That's how I do it. One in standard, one in drop D + the drop Pedal.
    Never thought about playing drop D Songs in D Standard. Actually I think that might Not be so Bad after all. But of course that only works more or less when the Song doesn't involve playing Open Strings.
    It's not as hard as youd think. It should be easier.. it's the more natural play to play the scales.