A Little Opera Goes a Long Way

bySky Sailing

Required String Notes:DADAAD

Tune to Custom Tuning (DADAAD)

Play each string and match the pitch using your microphone. Targets are set to this song’s exact tuning (DADAAD).

Custom Tuning (DADAAD)

±0

Target: 73.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

D73

A110

D147

A220

D294

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (DADAAD)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “A Little Opera Goes a Long Way”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	D2	Tune down a whole step
String 5	A2	A2	Leave as is
String 4	D3	D3	Leave as is
String 3	G3	A3	Tune up a whole step
String 2	B3	A3	Tune down a whole step
String 1	E4	D4	Tune down a whole step

Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"A Little Opera Goes a Long Way" by Sky Sailing is played in Custom Tuning (DADAAD) (DADAAD). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 3 up to A, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. 1270 other songs in our catalog use Custom Tuning (DADAAD).

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (DADAAD)

Already tuned to DADAAD? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open D Tuning77 songs

D - A - D - F# - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F# instead of A.

DADGAD Celtic Tuning44 songs

D - A - D - G - A - DOnly string 3 differs: G instead of A.

Open D Minor / Crossnote25 songs

D - A - D - F - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F instead of A.

DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)17 songs

D - A - D - D - A - DOnly string 3 differs: D instead of A.

Gear for Custom Tuning (DADAAD)

Strings and tools that make playing "A Little Opera Goes a Long Way" in Custom Tuning (DADAAD) easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)

Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

View strings

D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“A Little Opera Goes a Long Way” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "A Little Opera Goes a Long Way" by Sky Sailing in?

"A Little Opera Goes a Long Way" is played in Custom Tuning (DADAAD): DADAAD, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "A Little Opera Goes a Long Way"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune up a whole step (G3 → A3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.