We die young

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 “We die young”:

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

"We die young" 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.

Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

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 "We die young" 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.

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.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

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

View winder

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

“We die young” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "We die young" by Alice in Chains in?

"We die young" 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 "We die young"?

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).