Winter

byDevin Townsend Project

Required String Notes:A#FA#FA#D

Tune to Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)

Play each string and match the pitch using your microphone. Targets are set to this song’s exact tuning (A#FA#FA#D).

Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)

±0

Target: 58.3 Hz

-50WAITING+50

A#58

F87

A#117

F175

A#233

D294

How to Tune from Standard to Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)

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

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	A#1	Tune down 6 semitones
String 5	A2	F2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 4	D3	A#2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 3	G3	F3	Tune down a whole step
String 2	B3	A#3	Tune down a half step
String 1	E4	D4	Tune down a whole step

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

"Winter" by Devin Townsend Project is played in Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D) (A#FA#FA#D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to A#, string 5 down to F, string 4 down to A#, string 3 down to F, string 2 down to A#, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 6 semitones down. Devin Townsend Project uses this same tuning on 3 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)

Already tuned to A#FA#FA#D? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open C Tuning34 songs

C - G - C - G - C - ESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Open B Tuning19 songs

B - F# - B - F# - B - D#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Custom Tuning (A#FCFA#D)2 songs

A#FCFA#DOnly string 4 differs: C instead of A#.

Custom Tuning (AEAEAC#)1 song

AEAEAC#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Devin Townsend Project’s Guitar Tunings

Devin Townsend Project plays 4 of 25 songs in our catalog in Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D). Most-used tunings:

Open B TuningB - F# - B - F# - B - D#14 songs
Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)A#FA#FA#D4 songs
Custom Tuning (F#BF#BF#BD#)F#BF#BF#BD#2 songs
Open C 7-String (GCGCGCE)G - C - G - C - G - C - E2 songs
Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E1 song

Gear for Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D)

Strings and tools that make playing "Winter" in Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D) 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.

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

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“Winter” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Winter" by Devin Townsend Project in?

"Winter" is played in Custom Tuning (A#FA#FA#D): A#FA#FA#D, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Winter"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 6 semitones (E2 → A#1). String 5: tune down 4 semitones (A2 → F2). String 4: tune down 4 semitones (D3 → A#2). String 3: tune down a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → A#3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4).