Breaking the habit
Required String Notes:Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb
Tune to Drop Db / Drop C#How to Tune from Standard to Drop Db / Drop C#
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Breaking the habit”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | Db2 | Tune down 3 semitones |
| String 5 | A2 | Ab2 | Tune down a half step |
| String 4 | D3 | Db3 | Tune down a half step |
| String 3 | G3 | Gb3 | Tune down a half step |
| String 2 | B3 | Bb3 | Tune down a half step |
| String 1 | E4 | Eb4 | Tune down a half 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
"Breaking the habit" by Linkin Park is played in Drop Db / Drop C# (Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to Db, string 5 down to Ab, string 4 down to Db, string 3 down to Gb, string 2 down to Bb, string 1 down to Eb. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 3 semitones down. Linkin Park uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
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Tunings Close to Drop Db / Drop C#
Already tuned to Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb? These tunings are just one small change away.
Drop D Tuning130 songs
D - A - D - G - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.Drop C Tuning130 songs
C - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.Half-Step Down / Eb Standard109 songs
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbOnly string 6 differs: D# instead of C#.Drop B Tuning39 songs
B - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.Linkin Park’s Guitar Tunings
Linkin Park plays 4 of 9 songs in our catalog in Drop Db / Drop C#. Most-used tunings:
- Drop Db / Drop C#Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb4 songs
Gear for Drop Db / Drop C#
Strings and tools that make playing "Breaking the habit" in Drop Db / Drop C# 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.
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.
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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“Breaking the habit” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Breaking the habit" by Linkin Park in?
"Breaking the habit" is played in Drop Db / Drop C#: Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Breaking the habit"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 3 semitones (E2 → Db2). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → Ab2). String 4: tune down a half step (D3 → Db3). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → Gb3). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → Bb3). String 1: tune down a half step (E4 → Eb4).
What string gauge should I use for Drop Db / Drop C#?
Use a .011–.054 set. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.
Which other Linkin Park songs use this tuning?
"One Step Closer", "Papercut", "Pushing Me Away" — all in Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Linkin Park
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Linkin Park:
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardIntermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Other Songs in Drop Db / Drop C#
Once tuned to Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, try playing these tracks next: