A Pale White Dot

byPeriphery

Required String Notes:CGCEGD

Tune to Custom Tuning (CGCEGD)

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

Custom Tuning (CGCEGD)

±0

Target: 65.4 Hz

-50WAITING+50

C65

G98

C131

E165

G196

D294

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (CGCEGD)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “A Pale White Dot”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 5	A2	G2	Tune down a whole step
String 4	D3	C3	Tune down a whole step
String 3	G3	E3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 2	B3	G3	Tune down 4 semitones
String 1	E4	D4	Tune down a whole step

Recommended string gauge: .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"A Pale White Dot" by Periphery is played in Custom Tuning (CGCEGD) (CGCEGD). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to G, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to G, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. Periphery uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (CGCEGD)

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

Open C Major (CGCEGC)19 songs

C - G - C - E - G - COnly string 1 differs: C instead of D.

Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)13 songs

D - A - D - F# - A - ESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Custom Tuning (CGCD#GD)4 songs

CGCD#GDOnly string 3 differs: D# instead of E.

Custom Tuning (CGCGGD)3 songs

CGCGGDOnly string 3 differs: G instead of E.

Periphery’s Guitar Tunings

Periphery plays 2 of 81 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (CGCEGD). Most-used tunings:

Drop C TuningC - G - C - F - A - D23 songs
Drop G# 7-String TuningG# - D# - G# - C# - F# - A# - D#21 songs
Drop C + Low AA - G - C - F - A - D13 songs
8-String Standard (F# Standard)F# - B - E - A - D - G - B - E9 songs
Custom Tuning (CGCEGD)CGCEGD2 songs

Gear for Custom Tuning (CGCEGD)

Strings and tools that make playing "A Pale White Dot" in Custom Tuning (CGCEGD) easier.

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054)

Recommended gauge .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.

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.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“A Pale White Dot” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "A Pale White Dot" by Periphery in?

"A Pale White Dot" is played in Custom Tuning (CGCEGD): CGCEGD, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "A Pale White Dot"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down 4 semitones (B3 → G3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4).