Hard Time Killing Floor Blues
Required String Notes:D - A - D - F - A - D
Tune to Open D Minor / CrossnoteHow to Tune from Standard to Open D Minor / Crossnote
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues”:
| 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 | F3 | Tune down a whole step |
| 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
"Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" by Skip James is played in Open D Minor / Crossnote (D - A - D - F - 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 F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down. Skip James uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar
Tunings Close to Open D Minor / Crossnote
Already tuned to D - A - D - F - 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 F.DADGAD Celtic Tuning44 songs
D - A - D - G - A - DOnly string 3 differs: G instead of F.DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)17 songs
D - A - D - D - A - DOnly string 3 differs: D instead of F.DADEAD Tuning17 songs
D - A - D - E - A - DOnly string 3 differs: E instead of F.Skip James’s Guitar Tunings
Skip James plays 4 of 4 songs in our catalog in Open D Minor / Crossnote. Most-used tunings:
- Open D Minor / CrossnoteD - A - D - F - A - D4 songs
Gear for Open D Minor / Crossnote
Strings and tools that make playing "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" in Open D Minor / Crossnote 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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
“Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" by Skip James in?
"Hard Time Killing Floor Blues" is played in Open D Minor / Crossnote: D - A - D - F - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). 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.
What string gauge should I use for Open D Minor / Crossnote?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Which other Skip James songs use this tuning?
"Cherry Ball Blues", "Devil Got My Woman", "Illinois Blues" — all in D - A - D - F - A - D, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Skip James
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Skip James:
Other Songs in Open D Minor / Crossnote
Once tuned to D - A - D - F - A - D, try playing these tracks next:
Open D Minor / CrossnoteIntermediate
D - A - D - F - A - DNo Capo