Broken Angel

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

How to Tune from Standard to DADEAE Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Broken Angel”:

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	E3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 2	B3	A3	Tune down a whole step
String 1	E4	E4	Leave as is

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

"Broken Angel" by Boyce Avenue is played in DADEAE Tuning (D - A - D - E - A - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to A. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 3 semitones down. Boyce Avenue uses this same tuning on 2 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to DADEAE Tuning

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

DADEAD Tuning17 songs

D - A - D - E - A - DOnly string 1 differs: D instead of E.

Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)13 songs

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

Custom Tuning (DADGAE)6 songs

DADGAEOnly string 3 differs: G instead of E.

Custom Tuning (DADEAB)4 songs

DADEABOnly string 1 differs: B instead of E.

Boyce Avenue’s Guitar Tunings

Boyce Avenue plays 3 of 4 songs in our catalog in DADEAE Tuning. Most-used tunings:

DADEAE TuningD - A - D - E - A - E3 songs
DADAC#E TuningD - A - D - A - C# - E1 song

Gear for DADEAE Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Broken Angel" in DADEAE Tuning 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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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“Broken Angel” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Broken Angel" by Boyce Avenue in?

"Broken Angel" is played in DADEAE Tuning: D - A - D - E - A - E, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Broken Angel"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). Leave the other strings as they are.