How to Tune to DADADD (Tremonti)
DADADD is Mark Tremonti's go-to open-D-based tuning. The doubled high D strings ring in a natural chorus that sounds heavenly under clean arpeggios and heavy riffs alike, opening up chord voicings that standard tuning cannot reach.
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 | D4 | Tune up 3 semitones |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
String Tension & Setup Tips
Recommended Gauge:The low E drops to D, the G up to A, the B up to D and the high E stays D, so the top strings gain some tension — a balanced light set works; ease the high strings up gradually.
Gear for DADADD (Tremonti)
Tools that make tuning to D - A - D - A - D - 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tune to DADADD?
From standard tuning (EADGBE), retune each string low to high: 6th E→D, 5th A (unchanged), 4th D (unchanged), 3rd G→A, 2nd B→D, 1st E→D. Match each string to its exact Hz using the interactive tuner above.
What is DADADD used for?
Mark Tremonti favours it because the two high D strings create a shimmering natural chorus, great for both clean fingerpicked passages and heavy rock riffing.