Day After Day
Required String Notes:D - A - D - F - A - D
Tune to Open D Minor / CrossnoteHow to Tune from Standard to Open D Minor / Crossnote
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Day After Day”:
| 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 | F3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
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
"Day After Day" by Joni Mitchell is played in Open D Minor / Crossnote (D - A - D - F - A - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down. Joni Mitchell uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar
Tunings Close to Open D Minor / Crossnote
Already tuned to D - A - D - F - A - D? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open D Tuning77 songs
D - A - D - F# - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F# instead of F.DADGAD Celtic Tuning44 songs
D - A - D - G - A - DOnly string 3 differs: G instead of F.DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)17 songs
D - A - D - D - A - DOnly string 3 differs: D instead of F.DADEAD Tuning17 songs
D - A - D - E - A - DOnly string 3 differs: E instead of F.Joni Mitchell’s Guitar Tunings
Joni Mitchell plays 4 of 31 songs in our catalog in Open D Minor / Crossnote. Most-used tunings:
- Custom Tuning (CGDFCE)CGDFCE5 songs
- Open D Minor / CrossnoteD - A - D - F - A - D4 songs
- Custom Tuning (FFCGAC)FFCGAC3 songs
- Custom Tuning (DAEGCE)DAEGCE2 songs
Gear for Open D Minor / Crossnote
Strings and tools that make playing "Day After Day" in Open D Minor / Crossnote 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.
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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
“Day After Day” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Day After Day" by Joni Mitchell in?
"Day After Day" is played in Open D Minor / Crossnote: D - A - D - F - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Day After Day"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Open D Minor / Crossnote?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Which other Joni Mitchell songs use this tuning?
"Harlem In Havana", "Pirate Of Penance", "Rainy Night House" — all in D - A - D - F - A - D, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Joni Mitchell
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Joni Mitchell:
Other Songs in Open D Minor / Crossnote
Once tuned to D - A - D - F - A - D, try playing these tracks next: