First Kill
Required String Notes:B - E - A - D - F# - B
Tune to B Standard / BaritoneHow to Tune from Standard to B Standard / Baritone
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “First Kill”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | B1 | Tune down 5 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
"First Kill" by Amon Amarth is played in B Standard / Baritone (B - 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 B, 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 5 semitones down. Amon Amarth uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
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Tunings Close to B Standard / Baritone
Already tuned to B - E - A - D - F# - B? These tunings are just one small change away.
C# Standard Tuning52 songs
C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.C Standard Tuning49 songs
C - F - Bb - Eb - G - CSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.Bb Standard Tuning24 songs
Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - F - BbSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.Drop A Tuning8 songs
A - E - A - D - F# - BOnly string 6 differs: A instead of B.Amon Amarth’s Guitar Tunings
Amon Amarth plays 4 of 6 songs in our catalog in B Standard / Baritone. Most-used tunings:
- B Standard / BaritoneB - E - A - D - F# - B4 songs
Gear for B Standard / Baritone
Strings and tools that make playing "First Kill" in B Standard / Baritone 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.
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 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“First Kill” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "First Kill" by Amon Amarth in?
"First Kill" is played in B Standard / Baritone: B - E - A - D - F# - B, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "First Kill"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 5 semitones (E2 → B1). 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).
What string gauge should I use for B Standard / Baritone?
Use a .013–.072 set. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.
Which other Amon Amarth songs use this tuning?
"Twilight Of The Thunder God", "Wanderer", "War of the gods" — all in B - E - A - D - F# - B, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Amon Amarth
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Amon Amarth:
B Standard / BaritoneIntermediate
B - E - A - D - F# - BNo Capo
Other Songs in B Standard / Baritone
Once tuned to B - E - A - D - F# - B, try playing these tracks next:
B Standard / BaritoneIntermediate
B - E - A - D - F# - BNo Capo