How to Tune to DADAAD
DADAAD strips open D down to just its root and fifth (D and A), producing a stark, powerful open-5 drone with no third. That ambiguity makes it excellent for slide and bottleneck playing where you supply the major or minor colour with the slide.
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings:
| 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 | A3 | Tune up a whole step |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
String Tension & Setup Tips
Recommended Gauge:The low E drops to D, the G to A, the B stays/tunes to A and the high E to D. Tension stays near standard; a light-to-medium set with a slightly heavier low string works well for slide.
Gear for DADAAD
Tools that make tuning to D - A - D - A - A - D easier.
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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tune to DADAAD?
From standard tuning (EADGBE), retune each string low to high: 6th E→D, 5th A (unchanged), 4th D (unchanged), 3rd G→A, 2nd B→A, 1st E→D. Match each string to its exact Hz using the interactive tuner above.
Why use DADAAD for slide?
Because it contains only D and A (no third), open strings sound a neutral power chord. You can then move a slide to any fret and choose major or minor voicings, which makes it a favourite bottleneck tuning.