Take This Life

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

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 “Take This Life”:

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

"Take This Life" by In Flames 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. In Flames 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 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.

In Flames’s Guitar Tunings

In Flames plays 4 of 13 songs in our catalog in Drop Bb / Drop A#. Most-used tunings:

C Standard TuningC - F - Bb - Eb - G - C8 songs
Drop Bb / Drop A#Bb - F - Bb - Eb - G - C4 songs
Custom Tuning (DAFCGD)DAFCGD1 song

Gear for Drop Bb / Drop A#

Strings and tools that make playing "Take This Life" 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.

View strings

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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“Take This Life” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Take This Life" by In Flames in?

"Take This Life" 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 "Take This Life"?

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).