Drop F Guitar Tuning
Drop F sets the six strings from low to high to F C F Bb D G. Its enormous and bass-heavy voice works especially well for specialised baritone instruments and very slow heavy music.
Do this first
No theory test. No perfect technique required. Follow these three steps and start making music.
Tap each string to hear it
What changes in Drop F
The top five strings sit in G standard while the sixth string drops to F.
Make the tuning sound intentional
Hold a low F drone, then add a two-note minor colour high on the neck without crowding the bass.
Shape tip: Use the low F sparingly and arrange most harmony above the fourth string.
Retune to F C F Bb D G safely
A specialised long-scale guitar, custom gauges and expert setup are required.
Change one string at a time, approach the target pitch gradually and recheck every string after the neck settles. Stop if a string feels unusually tight, the bridge lifts or the instrument reacts unpredictably.
Turn the open strings into music
Quick answers before you play
What are the notes in Drop F Guitar Tuning?
From the sixth string to the first string, tune to F C F Bb D G. Use the six playable reference notes above and recheck them after the neck settles.
Is Drop F Guitar Tuning safe for my guitar?
A specialised long-scale guitar, custom gauges and expert setup are required. Stop if a string feels unusually tight, the bridge moves or the guitar becomes difficult to intonate.
Can I use normal chord shapes in Drop F Guitar Tuning?
Some shapes may still work, but a drop tuning changes at least part of the fretboard. Start with the open strings, simple drones and the shape guidance on this page.
Why do the strings go out of tune again after retuning?
Changing one string changes the total tension on the neck. Tune all six strings, wait briefly and repeat the process until every reference pitch remains stable.