How to Tune to The Rain Song (DGCGCD)
DGCGCD is the lush tuning Jimmy Page used for Led Zeppelin's 'The Rain Song'. Built around stacked fourths and fifths with a sus2 colour, it lets simple shapes ring into gorgeous major, minor and suspended chords across the neck — ideal for cinematic, orchestral fingerstyle.
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 5 of 6 strings:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | D2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 5 | A2 | G2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 4 | D3 | C3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | G3 | Leave as is |
| String 2 | B3 | C4 | Tune up a half step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
String Tension & Setup Tips
Recommended Gauge:The low E drops to D, the A to G and the B up to C while the high E drops to D. Tension stays close to standard, so a normal light/medium set works; a slightly heavier low string keeps the D tight.
Gear for The Rain Song (DGCGCD)
Tools that make tuning to D - G - C - G - C - 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 5 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 for The Rain Song?
From standard tuning (EADGBE), retune each string low to high: 6th E→D, 5th A→G, 4th D→C, 3rd G (unchanged), 2nd B→C, 1st E→D. Match each string to its exact Hz using the interactive tuner above.
What key is The Rain Song in?
The DGCGCD tuning centres the piece around G, letting Page move lush major and minor shapes up the neck while the open strings ring, which creates its famous orchestral, string-section feel.