GuitarTuner.online

12-String Guitar tuner – Whole Step Down

D-D-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-D · Standard

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Microphone off
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Press “Start tuner” – the browser will ask for microphone access. Sound is analysed on this device and never uploaded.

This free online tuner listens through your microphone and shows how close each string of your 12-String Guitar is to Whole Step Down tuning (D-D-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-D). Play a string, watch the needle, and turn the peg until the meter glows green. If you prefer tuning by ear, tap any string card to hear its reference tone.

About Whole Step Down tuning

Compared with Standard, Whole Step Down moves 12 strings. Every change is downward, the largest by 2 semitones, so the instrument sits at lower tension than in Standard.

How Whole Step Down differs from Standard, string by string.
StringStandardWhole Step DownChange
1E2D2down 2 semitones
2E3D3down 2 semitones
3A2G2down 2 semitones
4A3G3down 2 semitones
5D3C3down 2 semitones
6D4C4down 2 semitones
7G3F3down 2 semitones
8G4F4down 2 semitones
9B3A3down 2 semitones
10B3A3down 2 semitones
11E4D4down 2 semitones
12E4D4down 2 semitones

Played open, the strings sound D-D-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-D – from D2 at the bottom to F4 at the top, a span of 2 octaves and 3 semitones.

Whole Step Down is re-entrant: the strings do not rise steadily in pitch, so the string nearest your thumb is not the lowest note available. That is deliberate, and it is a large part of why the instrument sounds the way it does.

The drop is small enough that a standard set handles it. If the lowest string starts to rattle against the frets, one step up in gauge fixes it.

History

Where the Whole Step Down tuning comes from

A whole step down continues the old habit of tuning twelve-strings low to reduce tension; Lead Belly often tuned even lower, into the C or B range. Many modern players use it to protect the neck and for a darker, richer tone.

History of the instrument: 12-String Guitar →

Other 12-String Guitar tunings

Standard

Standard E-E-A-A-D-D-G-G-B-B-E-EHalf Step Down D#-D#-G#-G#-C#-C#-F#-F#-A#-A#-D#-D#Whole Step Down D-D-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-D

Drop

Drop D D-D-A-A-D-D-G-G-B-B-E-EDouble Drop D D-D-A-A-D-D-G-G-B-B-D-DDrop C C-C-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-DDrop C# C#-C#-G#-G#-C#-C#-F#-F#-A#-A#-D#-D#Drop B B-B-F#-F#-B-B-E-E-G#-G#-C#-C#Drop A A-A-E-E-A-A-D-D-F#-F#-B-B

Modal

D Modal D-D-A-A-D-D-G-G-A-A-D-D

Open

Open C C-C-G-G-C-C-G-G-C-C-E-EOpen D D-D-A-A-D-D-F#-F#-A-A-D-DOpen E E-E-B-B-E-E-G#-G#-B-B-E-EOpen G D-D-G-G-D-D-G-G-B-B-D-D

Chords for this tuning

CGDAEFAll 12-String Guitar chords →
How do I tune my 12-String Guitar to Whole Step Down?

Allow microphone access, pluck a string, and the tuner will detect it automatically. The needle shows whether the string is flat or sharp – adjust until the reading is within ±5 cents (D-D-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-D).

Which notes are used in Whole Step Down tuning?

Whole Step Down tuning for 12-String Guitar uses the notes D-D-G-G-C-C-F-F-A-A-D-D, listed from the lowest string to the highest.

Can I tune without a microphone?

Yes. Every string card plays a reference tone – tap it and match your string to the sound by ear.