7-string Drop A tuning (A E A D G B E)
Modern metal: Periphery, Trivium and a lot of contemporary heavy music live here.
A1E2A2D3G3B3E4
Drop A is to the 7-string what Drop D is to the 6-string: the lowest string comes down a whole step, from B to A, and the other six stay in standard.
You get one-finger power chords across the bottom three strings and a low A that is an octave below the fifth string.
Notes and frequencies
From the thickest string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). Changed strings are highlighted.
| String | Note | Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | A1 | 55.00 Hz | −2 semitones from B1 |
| 6 | E2 | 82.41 Hz | as standard |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | as standard |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | as standard |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | as standard |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz | as standard |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | as standard |
From standard tuning
- String 7: lower B1 down a whole step to A1.
The other 6 strings stay in standard.
Tuning to Drop A in TuneGlass
- Open Settings and choose 7-string guitar.
- Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose Drop A from the presets, or spin the wheel of the thickest string to A. Both are free.
- Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.
Tips
- Only the seventh string moves. Tune it against the open fifth string (A) one octave up.
- A .062 to .068 seventh string keeps the A tight on a 25.5-inch scale; longer-scale 7-strings are more forgiving.
Questions
How do you tune a 7-string to Drop A?
Lower the seventh (thickest) string from B to A. The other six strings stay in standard E A D G B E.
Is Drop A free in TuneGlass?
Yes. On every instrument the thickest string can be retuned for free, so Drop A on a 7-string is included.
Related tunings
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