The Rain Song
Required String Notes:D - G - C - G - C - D
Tune to The Rain Song (DGCGCD)How to Tune from Standard to The Rain Song (DGCGCD)
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 5 of 6 strings to play “The Rain Song”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | D2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 5 | A2 | G2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 4 | D3 | C3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | G3 | Leave as is |
| String 2 | B3 | C4 | Tune up a half step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
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
Jimmy Page built this lush ballad on DGCGCD, a tuning of stacked fourths and fifths with a sus2 colour. Simple shapes ring into gorgeous major, minor and suspended chords across the neck, giving the piece its famous cinematic, orchestral string-section feel.
Key Chord Voicings:
Csus2 (0-0-0-0-0-0)G/D voicing (x-0-0-0-0-0)Lush shapes moving up the neck over open strings
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar
Tunings Close to The Rain Song (DGCGCD)
Already tuned to D - G - C - G - C - D? These tunings are just one small change away.
Led Zeppelin’s Guitar Tunings
Led Zeppelin plays 4 of 22 songs in our catalog in The Rain Song (DGCGCD). Most-used tunings:
- The Rain Song (DGCGCD)D - G - C - G - C - D4 songs
Gear for The Rain Song (DGCGCD)
Strings and tools that make playing "The Rain Song" in The Rain Song (DGCGCD) 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.
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 5 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“The Rain Song” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "The Rain Song" by Led Zeppelin in?
"The Rain Song" is played in The Rain Song (DGCGCD): D - G - C - G - C - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "The Rain Song"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 2: tune up a half step (B3 → C4). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for The Rain Song (DGCGCD)?
Use a .011–.054 set. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.
More Songs by Led Zeppelin
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Led Zeppelin: