Them Bones

Required String Notes:Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb

How to Tune from Standard to Drop Db / Drop C#

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Them Bones”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	Db2	Tune down 3 semitones
String 5	A2	Ab2	Tune down a half step
String 4	D3	Db3	Tune down a half step
String 3	G3	Gb3	Tune down a half step
String 2	B3	Bb3	Tune down a half step
String 1	E4	Eb4	Tune down a half 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

"Them Bones" by Alice in Chains is played in Drop Db / Drop C# (Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to Db, string 5 down to Ab, string 4 down to Db, string 3 down to Gb, string 2 down to Bb, string 1 down to Eb. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 3 semitones down. Alice in Chains uses this same tuning on 4 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Drop Db / Drop C#

Already tuned to Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb? These tunings are just one small change away.

Drop D Tuning130 songs

D - A - D - G - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Drop C Tuning130 songs

C - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Half-Step Down / Eb Standard109 songs

Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbOnly string 6 differs: D# instead of C#.

Drop B Tuning39 songs

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

Alice in Chains’s Guitar Tunings

Alice in Chains plays 5 of 16 songs in our catalog in Drop Db / Drop C#. Most-used tunings:

Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb8 songs
Drop Db / Drop C#Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb5 songs
Custom Tuning (D#A#FC#G#D#)D#A#FC#G#D#1 song
Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)C#G#C#FG#C#1 song
Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E1 song

Gear for Drop Db / Drop C#

Strings and tools that make playing "Them Bones" in Drop Db / Drop C# 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 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Them Bones” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Them Bones" by Alice in Chains in?

"Them Bones" is played in Drop Db / Drop C#: Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Them Bones"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 3 semitones (E2 → Db2). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → Ab2). String 4: tune down a half step (D3 → Db3). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → Gb3). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → Bb3). String 1: tune down a half step (E4 → Eb4).