Half step down tuning (Eb standard)

Why bands tune down

• Singers. A half step lower can be the difference between a high note that lands and one that strains.
• Feel. Slightly looser strings bend easier and sound a little darker. Plenty of classic rock and blues records were cut this way.
• Matching a record. If a song sounds in Eb or Ab and the chords feel wrong in standard, the band on the record probably tuned down.

What each shape sounds as

Playing along without retuning

If you don't want to retune, play the song in standard with every chord moved down a half step (Gb instead of G, Eb instead of E). That usually means barre chords. The other way is a capo: tune down for the gig and capo 1 to get back to standard pitch when you need it. See the transpose chart and the capo chart.

Let Chartless sort it out

Chartless listens to the song and tells you the key and the chords as they go by, so you can tell in a few seconds whether a record is in standard or tuned down. Its tuner has Eb standard built in, and the chart's chord shapes follow whatever tuning you pick.

More: free online tuner · all tunings · all guides · Drop D chords · DADGAD chords.