This page is about guitar, not piano, but the idea behind it connects to the suspended chords pianists use. If you play piano, the Dsus2 chord on piano covers a similar sound.
What DADGAD is
DADGAD is an alternate guitar tuning in which the open strings, from lowest to highest, are D - A - D - G - A - D. It is often linked with Celtic and folk guitar, and with modern acoustic players who want an open, drone-like sound. Many sources credit the British guitarist Davey Graham with popularizing it in the 1960s. Some rock songs also use it, with Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” and “Black Mountain Side” often cited.
How to tune to DADGAD
Start from standard tuning (E - A - D - G - B - E) and change three strings:
- 6th string (low E): down a whole step to D.
- 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings: A, D, and G stay as they are.
- 2nd string (B): down a whole step to A.
- 1st string (high E): down a whole step to D.
For where guitar strings sit among other instruments, see instrument ranges for beginners. Use a tuner and lower each string slowly, since lowering tension is gentler on the guitar than raising it. Check the strings again after a few minutes because new tension settles. A heavier low string may help if the sixth string feels floppy, but that is a matter of preference.
Why the open strings sound suspended
The open strings form D, G, and A, which together is a Dsus4 chord (D - G - A). With no third (F or F#), the chord is neither major nor minor, which gives DADGAD its open, modal character. You can strum all six strings and get a full sound without pressing a single finger down.
Basic chord shapes
These shapes are common starting points. Frets are counted from the nut, and the strings are named by pitch from the open tuning.
- Dsus4: all strings open.
- D5 (power chord): all strings open except the G string, which you fret at the 2nd fret (that note is A). Or play only the open D and A strings.
- D major: fret the 4th string (D) at the 4th fret for F#, and the 3rd string (G) at the 2nd fret for A. Strum the strings, which gives D - A - F# - A - A - D.
- D minor: fret the 4th string at the 3rd fret for F, and the 3rd string at the 2nd fret. This gives D - A - F - A - A - D.
Fingerings differ between teachers, so adjust to what feels comfortable.
Movable sus shapes
Because the open strings form a symmetrical, stacked set of notes, you can lay one finger across all six strings and slide it up the neck.
| Barre fret | Resulting chord |
|---|---|
| Open | Dsus4 |
| 2nd | Esus4 |
| 5th | Gsus4 |
| 7th | Asus4 |
Each of these is a suspended fourth chord. They are useful for drones and for sliding between chords while keeping a ringing sound. For fuller chords, choose one note in the shape to alter, as you do with D major above, and leave the rest ringing.
Keep in mind that in D, the I, IV, and V chords are D, G, and A, so these barre shapes at the open, 5th, and 7th frets line up with them. For more on how those numbers work, see good chord progressions to know.
Tips for playing and writing
- Let strings ring; the tuning is designed for it.
- Use a capo to move the whole tuning up. A capo at the 2nd fret gives you E - B - E - A - B - E tuning, a sound in the key of E.
- Try fingerstyle patterns with a steady bass note on the low D.
- Do not worry about naming every chord at first. Listen for shapes that sound good.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tune a guitar to DADGAD? Lower the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings each by a whole step to D, A, and D.
What tuning did Jimi Hendrix play? He is mostly associated with standard tuning lowered by a half step, rather than DADGAD.
What is BDDDDD tuning? I could not confirm a standard tuning by that name, so I would treat it with caution unless you see it in a reliable source.
What is the “forbidden chord” on guitar? It is slang with no single agreed meaning, so check the context where you saw it.