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Half-Step Down / Eb Standard Guitar Tuner

Half-Step Down / Eb Standard
±0
B
Target: 61.7 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
B62
B62
B123
B123
B123
B247

How to Tune to Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Every string tuned down one semitone from standard, creating a slightly darker, warmer sound with reduced string tension. Eb standard is one of the most popular alternate tunings in rock history, famously used by Jimi Hendrix on nearly all of his recordings and by Stevie Ray Vaughan to accommodate his extremely heavy string gauges.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2Eb2Tune down a half step
String 5A2Ab2Tune down a half step
String 4D3Db3Tune down a half step
String 3G3Gb3Tune down a half step
String 2B3Bb3Tune down a half step
String 1E4Eb4Tune down a half step
Printable Half-Step Down / Eb Standard chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

Stevie Ray Vaughan used incredibly heavy strings (.013-.058) and still tuned down a half step. The combination of heavy gauges and lower tuning gave him his thick, powerful tone but made the strings extremely hard to bend — a testament to his remarkable hand strength. Hendrix tuned down for a different reason: it better suited his vocal range.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:.011 gauge strings restore approximately the same tension as .010 strings in standard tuning. If you want a slinkier, easier-to-bend feel (like Hendrix), keep .010s and enjoy the lower tension. For a firmer, SRV-style feel, go to .012 or heavier.

Gear for Half-Step Down / Eb Standard

Tools that make tuning to Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb 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.

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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Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)Advanced
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Song Details
Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)Beginner
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Song Details
Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)Advanced
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Song Details
Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)Intermediate
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNo Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Why play half-step down?
Three main reasons: 1) It accommodates singers with slightly lower vocal ranges — every song sounds a half step lower. 2) It reduces string tension, making bending easier and giving a slightly warmer tone. 3) It creates a heavier, darker sound that many rock and blues players prefer. Hendrix, SRV, Slash, and Kurt Cobain all tuned down a half step.
How to tune down half a step?
Lower every string by one semitone: E→Eb, A→Ab, D→Db, G→Gb, B→Bb, E→Eb. The easiest method is to use this tuner — it shows the exact target frequencies for each string. You can also use a standard tuner and target one fret below each standard note.
What tuning does Stevie Ray Vaughan use?
SRV tuned to Eb standard (half step down) on virtually all recordings. Combined with his extremely heavy string gauges (.013-.058 on his main Strat), this gave him his signature thick, powerful tone. The lower tuning helped offset the extreme tension of such heavy strings, making them slightly more manageable.
What are the exact frequencies for half step down?
Eb2 = 77.78 Hz, Ab2 = 103.83 Hz, Db3 = 138.59 Hz, Gb3 = 185.00 Hz, Bb3 = 233.08 Hz, Eb4 = 311.13 Hz. Each frequency is approximately 5.95% lower than its standard tuning counterpart.