Knife Went In
Required String Notes:D - A - D - G - A - D
Tune to DADGAD Celtic TuningHow to Tune from Standard to DADGAD Celtic Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Knife Went In”:
| 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 | G3 | Leave as is |
| 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
"Knife Went In" by Jenny Owen Youngs is played in DADGAD Celtic Tuning (D - A - D - G - A - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down. 43 other songs in our catalog use DADGAD Celtic Tuning.
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Tunings Close to DADGAD Celtic Tuning
Already tuned to D - A - D - G - 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 G.Open D Minor / Crossnote25 songs
D - A - D - F - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F instead of G.DADDAD (Bruce Palmer Modal)17 songs
D - A - D - D - A - DOnly string 3 differs: D instead of G.DADEAD Tuning17 songs
D - A - D - E - A - DOnly string 3 differs: E instead of G.Gear for DADGAD Celtic Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "Knife Went In" in DADGAD Celtic Tuning 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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“Knife Went In” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Knife Went In" by Jenny Owen Youngs in?
"Knife Went In" is played in DADGAD Celtic Tuning: D - A - D - G - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Knife Went In"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). 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 DADGAD Celtic Tuning?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Other Songs in DADGAD Celtic Tuning
Once tuned to D - A - D - G - A - D, try playing these tracks next:
DADGAD Celtic TuningIntermediate
D - A - D - G - A - DNo Capo