Devil In I

Required String Notes:A - E - A - D - F# - B

How to Tune from Standard to Drop A Tuning

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

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	A1	Tune down 7 semitones
String 5	A2	E2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 4	D3	A2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 3	G3	D3	Tune down 5 semitones
String 2	B3	F#3	Tune down 5 semitones
String 1	E4	B3	Tune down 5 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Devil In I" by Slipknot is played in Drop A Tuning (A - E - A - D - F# - B). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to A, string 5 down to E, string 4 down to A, string 3 down to D, string 2 down to F#, string 1 down to B. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 7 semitones down. 7 other songs in our catalog use Drop A Tuning.

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Tunings Close to Drop A Tuning

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

B Standard / Baritone75 songs

B - E - A - D - F# - BOnly string 6 differs: B instead of A.

Drop B Tuning39 songs

B - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Drop Bb / Drop A#24 songs

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

Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)19 songs

G#D#G#C#FA#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Slipknot’s Guitar Tunings

Slipknot plays 1 of 17 songs in our catalog in Drop A 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 A Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Devil In I" in Drop A Tuning easier.

Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072)

Recommended gauge .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.

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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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“Devil In I” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Devil In I" by Slipknot in?

"Devil In I" is played in Drop A Tuning: A - E - A - D - F# - B, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Devil In I"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 7 semitones (E2 → A1). String 5: tune down 5 semitones (A2 → E2). String 4: tune down 5 semitones (D3 → A2). String 3: tune down 5 semitones (G3 → D3). String 2: tune down 5 semitones (B3 → F#3). String 1: tune down 5 semitones (E4 → B3).