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In the modern rock era, Drop D is fast becoming one of the most
common tunings for the electric bass. The only difference between
Drop D and standard tuning is that you are going to lower (drop)
the 4th string from an E down to a D. Everything else will stay
the same.
This lesson will assume that you already know how
to read tablature,
understand basic tuning,
understand
harmonics, and tuning
with harmonics.
Getting
into Drop D from standard tuning
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Since the only note that is different from standard tuning
is the 4th string, here is an easy way to get into Drop
D tuning. Play your 2nd string open, which is a D. Then
play the 12 fret harmonic on the 4th string (touch the string
lightly right above the 12th fret bar). Tune that harmonic
note down a whole step so that it sounds like the open 2nd
string. When both notes are ringing at the same time, you
will then hear them "crash" against each other
when they are out of tune. The further those crashes are
from each other, the closer you are to being in tune.
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notes
are an octave apart
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Sometimes bass players will tune the 4th string open to
the 2nd string open, understanding that the 4th string will
sound an octave lower. Try playing both notes at the same
time and listen for the same "crashing" sound
that you heard when using the 12th fret harmonic on the
4th string.
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