Parasite

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 “Parasite”:

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

"Parasite" 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 "Parasite" 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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“Parasite” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Parasite" by Nick Drake in?

"Parasite" 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 "Parasite"?

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", "Hanging on a Star", "Hazey Jane", "Hazey Jane I", "Introduction" and 1 more — all in C - G - C - F - C - E, so you can play them without retuning.