When the Levee Breaks

Required String Notes:C - F - C - F - A - C

How to Tune from Standard to Open F

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “When the Levee Breaks”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 5	A2	F2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 4	D3	C3	Tune down a whole step
String 3	G3	F3	Tune down a whole step
String 2	B3	A3	Tune down a whole step
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

"When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin is played in Open F (C - F - C - F - A - C). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to F, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to C. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. Led Zeppelin uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Open F

Already tuned to C - F - C - F - A - C? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open G Tuning59 songs

D - G - D - G - B - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Custom Tuning (C#F#C#F#A#C#)8 songs

C#F#C#F#A#C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Custom Tuning (CGCFAC)5 songs

CGCFACOnly string 5 differs: G instead of F.

Custom Tuning (CFCFGC)2 songs

CFCFGCOnly string 2 differs: G instead of A.

Led Zeppelin’s Guitar Tunings

Led Zeppelin plays 2 of 22 songs in our catalog in Open F. Most-used tunings:

The Rain Song (DGCGCD)D - G - C - G - C - D4 songs
DADGAD Celtic TuningD - A - D - G - A - D3 songs
C6 Tuning (CACGCE)C - A - C - G - C - E3 songs
Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E2 songs
Open F TuningC - F - C - F - A - C2 songs

Gear for Open F

Strings and tools that make playing "When the Levee Breaks" in Open F 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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“When the Levee Breaks” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin in?

"When the Levee Breaks" is played in Open F: C - F - C - F - A - C, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "When the Levee Breaks"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down 4 semitones (A2 → F2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down 4 semitones (E4 → C4).