Hanging on a Star

Required String Notes:C - G - C - F - C - E

How to Tune from Standard to Pink Moon Modal

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 5 of 6 strings to play “Hanging on a Star”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 5	A2	G2	Tune down a whole step
String 4	D3	C3	Tune down a whole step
String 3	G3	F3	Tune down a whole step
String 2	B3	C4	Tune up a half step
String 1	E4	E4	Leave as is

Recommended string gauge: .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Hanging on a Star" by Nick Drake is played in Pink Moon Modal (C - G - C - F - C - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 5 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to G, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to F, string 2 up to C. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. Nick Drake uses this same tuning on 7 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Pink Moon Modal

Already tuned to C - G - C - F - C - E? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open C Tuning34 songs

C - G - C - G - C - EOnly string 3 differs: G instead of F.

Custom Tuning (CGDFCE)5 songs

CGDFCEOnly string 4 differs: D instead of C.

Custom Tuning (DADGDF#)3 songs

DADGDF#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Custom Tuning (CGCFCF)3 songs

CGCFCFOnly string 1 differs: F instead of E.

Nick Drake’s Guitar Tunings

Nick Drake plays 8 of 52 songs in our catalog in Pink Moon Modal. Most-used tunings:

Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E17 songs
Pink Moon ModalC - G - C - F - C - E8 songs
BEBEBEB - E - B - E - B - E6 songs
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)D - A - D - F# - A - E3 songs
Lute / Renaissance TuningE - A - D - F# - B - E3 songs

Gear for Pink Moon Modal

Strings and tools that make playing "Hanging on a Star" in Pink Moon Modal easier.

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054)

Recommended gauge .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.

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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 5 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Hanging on a Star” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Hanging on a Star" by Nick Drake in?

"Hanging on a Star" is played in Pink Moon Modal: C - G - C - F - C - E, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Hanging on a Star"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune up a half step (B3 → C4). Leave the other strings as they are.

What string gauge should I use for Pink Moon Modal?

Use a .011–.054 set. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.

Which other Nick Drake songs use this tuning?

"Pink Moon", "Place to Be", "Hazey Jane", "Hazey Jane I", "Introduction", "Parasite" and 1 more — all in C - G - C - F - C - E, so you can play them without retuning.