Black Mountain

Required String Notes:E - A - D - G - B - E

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Black Mountain" by Nick Drake is played in Standard E (E - A - D - G - B - E). No retuning is needed if your guitar is already in standard tuning. Nick Drake uses this same tuning on 16 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Standard E

Already tuned to E - A - D - G - B - E? These tunings are just one small change away.

Drop D Tuning130 songs

D - A - D - G - B - EOnly string 6 differs: D instead of E.

Half-Step Down / Eb Standard109 songs

Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.

AADGBE Tuning19 songs

A - A - D - G - B - EOnly string 6 differs: A instead of E.

Nick Drake’s Guitar Tunings

Nick Drake plays 17 of 52 songs in our catalog in Standard E. Most-used tunings:

Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E17 songs
Pink Moon ModalC - G - C - F - C - E8 songs
BEBEBEB - E - B - E - B - E6 songs
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)D - A - D - F# - A - E3 songs
Lute / Renaissance TuningE - A - D - F# - B - E3 songs

Gear for Standard E

Strings and tools that make playing "Black Mountain" in Standard E 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.

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“Black Mountain” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Black Mountain" by Nick Drake in?

"Black Mountain" is played in Standard E: E - A - D - G - B - E, from the lowest to the highest string. That is standard tuning, so no retuning is needed.

What string gauge should I use for Standard E?

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

Which other Nick Drake songs use this tuning?

"Been Smoking Too Long", "Bird Flew By", "Blossom Friend", "Day Is Done", "Dont Think Twice Its Alright", "Horn" and 10 more — all in E - A - D - G - B - E, so you can play them without retuning.