GuitarTuningsGuitartunings.

Name Alt-Tuning Guitar Tuner

Name Alt-Tuning
±0
D
Target: 73.4 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
D73
A110
E165
A220
C#277
E330

How to Tune to Name Alt-Tuning

The unique alternate tuning used for the acoustic hit "Name" by the Goo Goo Dolls. This D-A-E-A-C#-E tuning essentially creates an open A major chord with a D bass note, giving the song its warm, jangly character. Like most Goo Goo Dolls songs, it requires a non-standard tuning that John Rzeznik developed specifically for this track.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2D2Tune down a whole step
String 5A2A2Leave as is
String 4D3E3Tune up a whole step
String 3G3A3Tune up a whole step
String 2B3C#4Tune up a whole step
String 1E4E4Leave as is
Printable Name Alt-Tuning chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

"Name" was the Goo Goo Dolls' first major mainstream hit, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. John Rzeznik has mentioned that he often writes songs by experimenting with alternate tunings first and then finding melodies within the new sonic landscape, rather than starting with a melody in standard tuning.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:Standard acoustic gauge is usually fine (.012-.054). The high C# requires tuning the B string up only a whole step, which is safe with standard strings. The low E is dropped to D, which is a common and safe adjustment.

Gear for Name Alt-Tuning

Tools that make tuning to D - A - E - A - C# - E 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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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Name Alt-TuningIntermediate
D - A - E - A - C# - ENo Capo
Song Details
Name Alt-TuningIntermediate
D - A - E - A - C# - ENo Capo
Song Details
Name Alt-TuningIntermediate
D - A - E - A - C# - ENo Capo
Song Details
Name Alt-TuningIntermediate
D - A - E - A - C# - ENo Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an open tuning?
Yes, it essentially forms an open A major chord (A-C#-E) with a D in the bass. When you strum all six strings open, you hear a rich D/A or A/D voicing. This makes it incredibly easy to create full, resonant chord sounds with minimal fretting.
How to tune to Name by Goo Goo Dolls?
From standard tuning (EADGBE): drop the low E down to D (one whole step), keep A as-is, tune D up to E (one whole step), keep G — actually tune it down to A (wait, this doesn't work). The correct method: tune string 6 down to D, keep string 5 at A, tune string 4 up to E, tune string 3 down to A, tune string 2 up to C#, keep string 1 at E.
What are the chord shapes in D-A-E-A-C#-E?
The beauty of this tuning is its simplicity. The open strings already form a chord, so many shapes require just one or two fingers. Barring across all strings at any fret gives you a major chord. Rzeznik uses mostly simple shapes with open strings ringing throughout the song.
What does John Rzeznik use for Name chords?
Rzeznik plays "Name" with relatively simple chord shapes in this tuning, relying heavily on the open strings to create the song's characteristic jangle. The main progression uses shapes that leave most strings open while fretting just one or two notes to change the harmony.