Empty Palms
Required String Notes:D - A - D - F# - A - E
Tune to Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)How to Tune from Standard to Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Empty Palms”:
| 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 | F#3 | Tune down a half step |
| 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
"Empty Palms" by This Town Needs Guns is played in Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE) (D - A - D - F# - 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 F#, string 2 down to A. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down. This Town Needs Guns uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
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Tunings Close to Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)
Already tuned to D - A - D - F# - A - E? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open D Tuning77 songs
D - A - D - F# - A - DOnly string 1 differs: D instead of E.Custom Tuning (DADF#BE)20 songs
DADF#BEOnly string 2 differs: B instead of A.DADEAE Tuning12 songs
D - A - D - E - A - EOnly string 3 differs: E instead of F#.Custom Tuning (DAEF#AE)6 songs
DAEF#AEOnly string 4 differs: E instead of D.This Town Needs Guns’s Guitar Tunings
This Town Needs Guns plays 2 of 8 songs in our catalog in Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE). Most-used tunings:
- Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)D - A - D - F# - A - E2 songs
Gear for Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)
Strings and tools that make playing "Empty Palms" in Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE) 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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“Empty Palms” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Empty Palms" by This Town Needs Guns in?
"Empty Palms" is played in Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE): D - A - D - F# - A - E, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Empty Palms"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → F#3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Which other This Town Needs Guns songs use this tuning?
"Panda" — all in D - A - D - F# - A - E, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by This Town Needs Guns
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by This Town Needs Guns:
Other Songs in Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)
Once tuned to D - A - D - F# - A - E, try playing these tracks next:
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)Intermediate
D - A - D - F# - A - ENo Capo