What is DADGAD Tuning? The Complete Guide for Guitarists

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Introduction – The Magic of DADGAD

If you’ve been playing guitar for a while, chances are you’ve experimented with alternate tunings. Among them, one of the most fascinating and widely used is DADGAD tuning. Known for its rich, open, and modal sound, DADGAD has been a favorite of folk, Celtic, rock, and even modern fingerstyle guitarists.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about DADGAD—from its history and sound to DADGAD chords, how to tune to DADGAD, popular DADGAD tuning songs, and even tools like DADGAD tuning apps. By the end, you’ll not only understand this tuning but also know how to use it creatively in your own playing.

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What is DADGAD Tuning?

DADGAD tuning is an alternate guitar tuning where the strings are tuned as follows:

String	Standard Tuning	DADGAD Tuning
6th (Low E)	E	D
5th (A)	A	A
4th (D)	D	D
3rd (G)	G	G
2nd (B)	B	A
1st (High E)	E	D

So instead of EADGBE, you get DADGAD.

This tuning creates an open, droning sound that resonates beautifully, especially with Celtic and folk-inspired music. Unlike standard tuning, which leans heavily on major/minor tonalities, DADGAD is modal—it doesn’t commit to major or minor until you add notes. That’s why it’s so versatile.

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Why Guitarists Love DADGAD

1. 🎶 Open, droning resonance – Perfect for folk and Celtic music.
2. ✨ Versatility – Works in both major and minor contexts.
3. 🎸 Fingerstyle-friendly – Great for alternate bass and melody lines.
4. 🌀 Creativity booster – Breaks you out of the standard tuning rut.
5. 🌍 Cross-genre use – From Celtic to Led Zeppelin to modern acoustic.

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How to Tune to DADGAD

Switching from standard tuning to DADGAD is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Low E → Drop down to D
2. A → Leave as A
3. D → Leave as D
4. G → Leave as G
5. B → Drop down to A
6. High E → Drop down to D

👉 Quick tip: Use a digital tuner or a DADGAD tuning app to make it easier.

Pro Tip

Many guitarists keep a second guitar permanently in DADGAD—especially if they perform live. It saves time and keeps the mood flowing.

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Essential DADGAD Chords for Beginners

Because of its modal nature, DADGAD chords are often simpler and more open than in standard tuning. Here are some basic shapes to get you started:

Chord	Fingering (fret positions: 6th → 1st string)
Dsus4	0-0-0-2-3-0
G (open)	5-5-0-0-5-5
A	x-0-2-2-0-0
Bm7	x-2-0-2-0-0
Em7	0-2-2-0-0-0

Why These Work

• Many DADGAD chords use droning open strings.
• They’re easy to play, leaving fingers free for melodic embellishments.
• Chords often sound richer and “bigger” compared to standard tuning.

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Playing Scales in DADGAD

Since DADGAD is modal, scales feel fresh. A D major scale in DADGAD is straightforward and sounds natural:

D major scale (starting from open 6th string):
0, 2, 4 (D, E, F#)

Experimenting with scales in this tuning unlocks unique melodic drones that aren’t possible in standard tuning.

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Famous DADGAD Tuning Songs

Many legendary guitarists have used DADGAD tuning songs to create unforgettable music. Here are a few:

• 🎸 Led Zeppelin – “Kashmir”
• 🎸 Pierre Bensusan – “The Last Pint”
• 🎸 Andy McKee – “Drifting” (sections)
• 🎸 Fairport Convention – “She Moves Through the Fair”
• 🎸 Rory Gallagher – “A Million Miles Away”

These tracks showcase the expressive, mystical power of DADGAD.

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DADGAD in Celtic and Folk Music

DADGAD is sometimes called “Celtic tuning” because of how well it fits traditional Irish and Scottish music. The drone notes mimic bagpipes, giving songs an ancient, atmospheric quality. If you want to explore folk guitar, learning DADGAD chords is a must.

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Using a DADGAD Tuning App

If you’re new, tuning by ear can be tricky. Luckily, there are several DADGAD tuning apps that make life easier:

• 🎶 GuitarTuna (iOS/Android) – Has a DADGAD mode.
• 🎶 Fender Tune – Simple and reliable.
• 🎶 Pano Tuner – Great for precision.
• 🎶 Online DADGAD Tuners – Browser-based tools for quick tuning.

👉 These tools ensure you’re always pitch-perfect and ready to play.

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Practice Tips for DADGAD

1. Start with simple open chords before attempting complex voicings.
2. Use drones (let open strings ring) for a Celtic feel.
3. Try fingerstyle patterns—the tuning really shines here.
4. Write your own riffs; don’t just copy standard chord shapes.
5. Learn one or two DADGAD tuning songs to get inspiration.

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Advanced Techniques in DADGAD

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, DADGAD opens doors to advanced playing styles:

• Harmonics – Natural harmonics sound magical in this tuning, especially at the 7th and 12th frets.
• Percussive fingerstyle – Modern players like Andy McKee blend rhythm and melody in DADGAD.
• Slide guitar – The open nature of DADGAD makes it excellent for slide.
• Modal improvisation – Great for jamming in D Mixolydian or D Dorian modes.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Thinking standard chord shapes will work the same.
• ❌ Over-muting strings (let them ring!).
• ❌ Not checking intonation—lower strings need precision.
• ❌ Forgetting to re-tune back to standard when playing with others.

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Who Uses DADGAD? Famous Guitarists

• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
• Pierre Bensusan (fingerstyle legend)
• Andy McKee (modern acoustic innovator)
• Davey Graham (credited with popularizing DADGAD)
• Rory Gallagher (blues-rock hero)

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These players show the diversity of DADGAD—from folk to rock to modern fingerstyle.

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DADGAD vs Other Alternate Tunings

How does DADGAD compare to other tunings?

Tuning	Sound	Common Use
Standard (EADGBE)	Balanced	All-round use
Drop D (DADGBE)	Heavy, low	Rock, metal
Open D (DADF#AD)	Major tonality	Blues, slide
DADGAD	Modal, droning	Celtic, folk, acoustic

👉 DADGAD is the most “modal” of the bunch—perfect for droning atmospheres.

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DADGAD and Songwriting

One of the hidden strengths of DADGAD is how it inspires new songwriting. Because your usual chord shapes won’t apply, you’re forced to explore fresh voicings and fingerings. Many guitarists find themselves writing riffs and progressions in DADGAD that they never would have discovered in standard tuning. The modal tonality encourages you to leave space in your music, letting the open strings fill the room with resonance.

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DADGAD for Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar

While DADGAD is most popular among acoustic players, it works beautifully on electric guitars too. Acoustic guitars emphasize the natural resonance of the tuning, making it great for folk and fingerstyle. But with electric guitar, especially with effects like reverb and delay, DADGAD takes on a cinematic, atmospheric quality perfect for post-rock or ambient music. Experiment with both setups—you might be surprised where it takes you.

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DADGAD and Capo Usage

Adding a capo to your guitar in DADGAD unlocks even more creative possibilities. For example:

• Capo 2nd fret → Gives you EBEABE (bright and open, great for folk).
• Capo 5th fret → Sounds haunting and high-pitched, perfect for Celtic tunes.
• Capo 7th fret → Creates a mandolin-like sparkle.

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Capos in DADGAD let you shift keys without losing the modal character of the tuning.

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FAQs about DADGAD Tuning

Q1: Is DADGAD tuning hard to learn?
Not at all! It’s beginner-friendly because many chords are simple and open.

Q2: Can I play regular songs in DADGAD?
Yes, but they’ll sound different. Many standard chord progressions need adjusting.

Q3: What genres use DADGAD?
Mainly Celtic, folk, acoustic, and some rock. But you can experiment in any style.

Q4: Do I need a special guitar for DADGAD?
No—any guitar works. Just make sure your strings are properly stretched and tuned.

Q5: Can I use a capo with DADGAD?
Absolutely! A capo can unlock fresh keys and voicings.

Q6: Does DADGAD work for fingerpicking?
Yes—this tuning was practically made for fingerpicking. The drone notes support melodies beautifully.

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Conclusion – Why You Should Try DADGAD

Whether you’re stuck in a creative rut or just want to explore new sounds, DADGAD tuning is one of the most rewarding alternate tunings a guitarist can learn. Its open, droning, modal quality makes your guitar sound bigger and more atmospheric, while the DADGAD chords are often easier and more inspiring.

From learning how to tune to DADGAD, to playing famous DADGAD tuning songs, or even using a DADGAD tuning app, you now have everything you need to get started.

So grab your guitar, drop those strings, and step into the world of DADGAD. Who knows—you might discover your next favorite song in this tuning.