living in the country
Required String Notes:Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C
Tune to Drop Bb / Drop A#How to Tune from Standard to Drop Bb / Drop A#
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “living in the country”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | Bb1 | Tune down 6 semitones |
| String 5 | A2 | F2 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 4 | D3 | Bb2 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 3 | G3 | Eb3 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 2 | B3 | G3 | Tune down 4 semitones |
| String 1 | E4 | C4 | Tune down 4 semitones |
Recommended string gauge: .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"living in the country" by Leo Kottke is played in Drop Bb / Drop A# (Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to Bb, string 5 down to F, string 4 down to Bb, string 3 down to Eb, string 2 down to G, string 1 down to C. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 6 semitones down. 23 other songs in our catalog use Drop Bb / Drop A#.
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Tunings Close to Drop Bb / Drop A#
Already tuned to Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C? These tunings are just one small change away.
Drop C Tuning130 songs
C - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.C Standard Tuning49 songs
C - F - Bb - Eb - G - COnly string 6 differs: C instead of A#.Drop B Tuning39 songs
B - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.Custom Tuning (G#D#G#C#FA#)19 songs
G#D#G#C#FA#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.Leo Kottke’s Guitar Tunings
Leo Kottke plays 1 of 3 songs in our catalog in Drop Bb / Drop A#. Most-used tunings:
- Drop Bb / Drop A#Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C1 song
Gear for Drop Bb / Drop A#
Strings and tools that make playing "living in the country" in Drop Bb / Drop A# easier.
Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056)
Recommended gauge .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.
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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“living in the country” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "living in the country" by Leo Kottke in?
"living in the country" is played in Drop Bb / Drop A#: Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "living in the country"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 6 semitones (E2 → Bb1). String 5: tune down 4 semitones (A2 → F2). String 4: tune down 4 semitones (D3 → Bb2). String 3: tune down 4 semitones (G3 → Eb3). String 2: tune down 4 semitones (B3 → G3). String 1: tune down 4 semitones (E4 → C4).
What string gauge should I use for Drop Bb / Drop A#?
Use a .012–.056 set. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.
More Songs by Leo Kottke
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Leo Kottke:
Other Songs in Drop Bb / Drop A#
Once tuned to Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C, try playing these tracks next: