Song For The Dead

Required String Notes:C - F - Bb - Eb - G - C

How to Tune from Standard to C Standard Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Song For The Dead”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C2	Tune down 4 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

"Song For The Dead" by Queens of the Stone Age is played in C Standard Tuning (C - 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 C, 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 4 semitones down. Queens of the Stone Age uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to C Standard Tuning

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

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

B Standard / Baritone75 songs

B - E - A - D - F# - BSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

C# Standard Tuning52 songs

C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Drop Bb / Drop A#24 songs

Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - COnly string 6 differs: A# instead of C.

Queens of the Stone Age’s Guitar Tunings

Queens of the Stone Age plays 4 of 8 songs in our catalog in C Standard Tuning. Most-used tunings:

C Standard TuningC - F - Bb - Eb - G - C4 songs
C# Standard TuningC# - F# - B - E - G# - C#1 song
Custom Tuning (CGD#A#FC)CGD#A#FC1 song
DGDGBE Tuning (Open G6)D - G - D - G - B - E1 song
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb1 song

Gear for C Standard Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Song For The Dead" in C Standard Tuning 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.

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

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“Song For The Dead” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Song For The Dead" by Queens of the Stone Age in?

"Song For The Dead" is played in C Standard Tuning: C - F - Bb - Eb - G - C, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Song For The Dead"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). 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 C Standard Tuning?

Use a .012–.056 set. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.

Which other Queens of the Stone Age songs use this tuning?

"Feel Good Hit of the Summer", "a song for the deaf", "Better living through chemistry" — all in C - F - Bb - Eb - G - C, so you can play them without retuning.