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Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE) Guitar Tuner

Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)
±0
D
Target: 73.4 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
D73
A110
D147
F#185
A220
E330

How to Tune to Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)

A beautiful modal tuning DADF#AE used extensively by Nick Drake on his first two albums. It's similar to Open D but keeps the high E string instead of tuning it down to D, creating a unique tension between the D major chord (D-F#-A) and the natural E on top. This gives chords a dreamy, unresolved quality that defines Drake's sound.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2D2Tune down a whole step
String 5A2A2Leave as is
String 4D3D3Leave as is
String 3G3F#3Tune down a half step
String 2B3A3Tune down a whole step
String 1E4E4Leave as is
Printable Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE) chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

Nick Drake's guitar teacher in his early years was reportedly influenced by the folk revival scene, but Drake quickly moved beyond traditional folk by developing his own tunings. His producer, Joe Boyd, later said that Drake's guitar playing was so intricate that session musicians brought in to overdub parts often couldn't replicate what Drake played alone.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:Medium-Lights (.012-.054) work well. All strings are tuned down from standard except the 3rd string which drops from G to F# (only a half step), making this a low-tension, comfortable tuning to play.

Gear for Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)

Tools that make tuning to D - A - D - F# - A - 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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)Intermediate
D - A - D - F# - A - ENo Capo
Song Details
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)Intermediate
D - A - D - F# - A - ENo Capo
Song Details
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)Intermediate
D - A - D - F# - A - ENo Capo
Song Details
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)Intermediate
D - A - D - F# - A - ENo Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Open D?
It's very close but not quite. Open D tuning is DADF#AD — the high string is tuned down to D. In Drake's DADF#AE tuning, the high E stays at E, creating an add9 interval over the D chord. This small difference gives the tuning its distinctive dreamy, slightly unresolved quality.
What songs use DADF#AE?
Nick Drake used this tuning for several of his most beloved songs including "River Man," "Time Has Told Me," and "Hazey Jane II." The tuning appears across both "Five Leaves Left" (1969) and "Bryter Layter" (1970). It's one of at least five different tunings Drake used regularly.
What tuning is Time Has Told Me in?
"Time Has Told Me" uses this DADF#AE tuning. The song's gentle, rolling fingerpicking pattern takes advantage of the open D and A strings as bass notes while the melody moves across the higher strings.
How to tune to DADF#AE?
From standard tuning (EADGBE): drop the low E to D (one whole step), keep A as-is, keep D as-is, drop G to F# (one half step), drop B to A (one whole step), and keep high E as-is. This is a gentle tuning change — no strings go up in pitch, so there's zero risk of breakage.