Four and Twenty

Required String Notes:D - A - D - D - A - D

How to Tune from Standard to DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Four and Twenty”:

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	D3	Tune down 5 semitones
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

"Four and Twenty" by Stephen Stills is played in DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal) (D - A - D - D - 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 D, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 5 semitones down. Stephen Stills 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 DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)

Already tuned to D - A - D - D - 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 D.

DADGAD Celtic Tuning44 songs

D - A - D - G - A - DOnly string 3 differs: G instead of D.

Open D Minor / Crossnote25 songs

D - A - D - F - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F instead of D.

DADEAD Tuning17 songs

D - A - D - E - A - DOnly string 3 differs: E instead of D.

Stephen Stills’s Guitar Tunings

Stephen Stills plays 4 of 4 songs in our catalog in DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal). Most-used tunings:

DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)D - A - D - D - A - D4 songs

Gear for DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)

Strings and tools that make playing "Four and Twenty" in DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal) 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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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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Four and Twenty” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Four and Twenty" by Stephen Stills in?

"Four and Twenty" is played in DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal): D - A - D - D - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Four and Twenty"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down 5 semitones (G3 → D3). 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.