before I forget

Required String Notes:B - F# - B - E - G# - C#

How to Tune from Standard to Drop B Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “before I forget”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	B1	Tune down 5 semitones
String 5	A2	F#2	Tune down 3 semitones
String 4	D3	B2	Tune down 3 semitones
String 3	G3	E3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 2	B3	G#3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 1	E4	C#4	Tune down 3 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"before I forget" by Slipknot is played in Drop B Tuning (B - F# - B - E - G# - C#). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to B, string 5 down to F#, string 4 down to B, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to G#, string 1 down to C#. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 5 semitones down. Slipknot uses this same tuning on 8 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Drop B Tuning

Already tuned to B - F# - B - E - G# - C#? These tunings are just one small change away.

Drop C Tuning130 songs

C - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Drop Db / Drop C#82 songs

Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

C# Standard Tuning52 songs

C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Only string 6 differs: C# instead of B.

Drop Bb / Drop A#24 songs

Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - CSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Slipknot’s Guitar Tunings

Slipknot plays 9 of 17 songs in our catalog in Drop B Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Drop B TuningB - F# - B - E - G# - C#9 songs
Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E3 songs
Custom Tuning (F#F#BEG#C#)F#F#BEG#C#2 songs
Drop A TuningA - E - A - D - F# - B1 song
C# Standard TuningC# - F# - B - E - G# - C#1 song

Gear for Drop B Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "before I forget" in Drop B Tuning easier.

Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056)

Recommended gauge .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.

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

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“before I forget” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "before I forget" by Slipknot in?

"before I forget" is played in Drop B Tuning: B - F# - B - E - G# - C#, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "before I forget"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 5 semitones (E2 → B1). String 5: tune down 3 semitones (A2 → F#2). String 4: tune down 3 semitones (D3 → B2). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down 3 semitones (B3 → G#3). String 1: tune down 3 semitones (E4 → C#4).

What string gauge should I use for Drop B Tuning?

Use a .012–.056 set. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.

Which other Slipknot songs use this tuning?

"Duality", "Psychosocial", "All Out Life", "AOV", "Disasterpiece", "Killpop" and 2 more — all in B - F# - B - E - G# - C#, so you can play them without retuning.