the trees they do grow high
Required String Notes:D - A - D - E - A - E
Tune to DADEAE TuningHow to Tune from Standard to DADEAE Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “the trees they do grow high”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | D2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 5 | A2 | A2 | Leave as is |
| String 4 | D3 | D3 | Leave as is |
| String 3 | G3 | E3 | Tune down 3 semitones |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | E4 | Leave as is |
Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"the trees they do grow high" by Martin Carthy is played in DADEAE Tuning (D - A - D - E - A - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to A. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 3 semitones down. Martin Carthy uses this same tuning on 2 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
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Tunings Close to DADEAE Tuning
Already tuned to D - A - D - E - A - E? These tunings are just one small change away.
DADEAD Tuning17 songs
D - A - D - E - A - DOnly string 1 differs: D instead of E.Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)13 songs
D - A - D - F# - A - EOnly string 3 differs: F# instead of E.Custom Tuning (DADGAE)6 songs
DADGAEOnly string 3 differs: G instead of E.Custom Tuning (DADEAB)4 songs
DADEABOnly string 1 differs: B instead of E.Martin Carthy’s Guitar Tunings
Martin Carthy plays 3 of 6 songs in our catalog in DADEAE Tuning. Most-used tunings:
- DADEAE TuningD - A - D - E - A - E3 songs
Gear for DADEAE Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "the trees they do grow high" in DADEAE Tuning easier.
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)
Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“the trees they do grow high” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "the trees they do grow high" by Martin Carthy in?
"the trees they do grow high" is played in DADEAE Tuning: D - A - D - E - A - E, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "the trees they do grow high"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for DADEAE Tuning?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Which other Martin Carthy songs use this tuning?
"Seven Yellow Gypsies", "The bedmaking" — all in D - A - D - E - A - E, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Martin Carthy
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Martin Carthy:
Other Songs in DADEAE Tuning
Once tuned to D - A - D - E - A - E, try playing these tracks next:
DADEAE TuningIntermediate
D - A - D - E - A - ENo Capo