Fade To Black

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

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Fade To Black" by Metallica is played in Standard E (E - A - D - G - B - E). No retuning is needed if your guitar is already in standard tuning. Metallica uses this same tuning on 8 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Standard E

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

Drop D Tuning130 songs

D - A - D - G - B - EOnly string 6 differs: D instead of E.

Half-Step Down / Eb Standard109 songs

Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.

AADGBE Tuning19 songs

A - A - D - G - B - EOnly string 6 differs: A instead of E.

Metallica’s Guitar Tunings

Metallica plays 9 of 23 songs in our catalog in Standard E. Most-used tunings:

Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E9 songs
D Standard / Whole-Step DownD - G - C - F - A - D2 songs
Drop D TuningD - A - D - G - B - E2 songs
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb2 songs
Open D Minor / CrossnoteD - A - D - F - A - D1 song

Gear for Standard E

Strings and tools that make playing "Fade To Black" in Standard E 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.

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“Fade To Black” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Fade To Black" by Metallica in?

"Fade To Black" is played in Standard E: E - A - D - G - B - E, from the lowest to the highest string. That is standard tuning, so no retuning is needed.

What string gauge should I use for Standard E?

Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

Which other Metallica songs use this tuning?

"Enter Sandman", "Hit The Lights", "Master of Puppets", "No Remorse", "Nothing Else Matters", "Seek and Destroy" and 2 more — all in E - A - D - G - B - E, so you can play them without retuning.