DADGAD Tuning: A Complete Guide for Guitarists

If you've ever heard the hauntingly beautiful sound of Celtic guitar, the mesmerizing fingerpicking of Pierre Bensusan, or the rich, open sound of Jimmy Page's acoustic work, you've likely been hearing DADGAD tuning. This distinctive alternate tuning has been a secret weapon for fingerstyle guitarists since the 1960s, and once you try it, you'll understand why.

In this complete guide, we'll explore everything about DADGAD tuning: how to tune, essential chords, fingerpicking patterns, famous songs, and the techniques that make this tuning so special.

What Is DADGAD Tuning?

DADGAD tuning is an alternate guitar tuning where the strings are tuned to the notes D-A-D-G-A-D from low to high. Compared to standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), three strings are changed:

• 6th string: E → D (down one whole step)
• 2nd string: B → A (down one whole step)
• 1st string: E → D (down one whole step)

The result is a tuning that forms a Dsus4 chord when all strings are played open. The three D strings (6th, 4th, and 1st) create a natural drone, while the A and G strings fill in the harmony.

Why DADGAD Is Special

DADGAD has a unique character that sets it apart from other tunings:

1. Drone quality: The three D strings create a sustained drone that gives every chord a rich, resonant quality
2. Modal sound: Because the open strings form a suspended chord, DADGAD naturally lends itself to modal and ambiguous harmonies
3. Open string access: The tuning provides easy access to open strings that ring out and create a full, harp-like sound
4. Celtic connection: DADGAD is the go-to tuning for Celtic and folk guitar, perfect for jigs, reels, and airs
5. Fingerstyle freedom: The open strings free up fingers for melodic work while the bass strings drone

How to Tune to DADGAD

Method 1: Reference Your Open Strings

1. 6th string (E → D): Play the 4th string open (D) and tune the 6th string down to match, two octaves apart
2. 2nd string (B → A): Play the 5th string open (A) and tune the 2nd string down to match, one octave apart
3. 1st string (E → D): Play the 4th string open (D) and tune the 1st string down to match, one octave apart

Method 2: Use the 12th Fret Harmonics

For more precise tuning, use harmonics:

1. Play the 12th fret harmonic on the 4th string (D)
2. Tune the 6th string down until its 12th fret harmonic matches
3. Play the 12th fret harmonic on the 5th string (A)
4. Tune the 2nd string down until its 12th fret harmonic matches
5. Play the 12th fret harmonic on the 4th string (D)
6. Tune the 1st string down until its 12th fret harmonic matches

Method 3: Use a Chromatic Tuner

The easiest method for beginners — use a clip-on tuner or tuner app in chromatic mode and tune each string to the correct note.

Essential DADGAD Chords

One of the challenges of DADGAD is that standard chord shapes don't work. You need to learn new voicings. But the good news is that many chords are actually easier in DADGAD because of the open strings.

D Chords

D Major (D-F#-A): 20002x or x00320

• The open strings provide the drone while you fret the F# and A

D Minor (D-F-A): 10002x or x00031

• Similar to D major but with a minor third

D sus4 (D-G-A): 000000

• All open strings! This is the signature sound of DADGAD

D Major 7: x00322 D add9: x00320

G Chords

G Major (G-B-D): 5x0030 or 020030

• Uses open strings for the D drone while fretting the G and B

G Minor: 5x0031 or 020031

A Chords

A Major (A-C#-E): x02022 or x04022

• Uses the open A string as the root

A Minor (A-C-E): x02021 or x00021

• Very similar but with a minor third

A7: x02020

Bm Chord

B Minor (B-D-F#): x40432

• The open 1st string (D) is part of the chord

Em Chord

E Minor (E-G-B): 220000 or 020000

• Very easy — just two fretted notes and four open strings

The Magic of Drone Notes

The defining characteristic of DADGAD is the drone. Three strings tuned to D (6th, 4th, and 1st) create a constant D drone that runs beneath everything you play. This drone gives DADGAD its characteristic "bagpipe" or "harp" quality.

Using Drones Creatively

1. Let strings ring: When playing chords or melodies, let the open D strings ring as long as possible. This creates a continuous, flowing sound.
2. Drone and melody: Play a melody on the upper strings while the low D drones beneath. This is the basis of much Celtic guitar.
3. Drone and bass: Use the 6th string (D) as a bass drone while playing chords on the upper strings.
4. Cross-string drones: The D on the 1st string can ring while you play notes on the 2nd and 3rd strings, creating a harp-like effect.

Fingerpicking in DADGAD

DADGAD is ideally suited for fingerpicking. The open strings provide natural sustain and resonance, while the tuning makes many patterns easier to play.

Basic Fingerpicking Pattern

Try this simple pattern over a D chord (all open strings):

• Thumb (p): 6th string (D) — bass drone
• Index (i): 3rd string (G)
• Middle (m): 2nd string (A)
• Ring (a): 1st string (D)

Pattern: p-i-m-a-m-i (repeated)

Let the high D ring while you play the other notes. The drone on the 6th string anchors everything.

Travis Picking in DADGAD

Travis picking (alternating bass) works beautifully in DADGAD. Use the 6th string (D) and 4th string (D) as your alternating bass notes while picking melody notes on the upper strings.

Cross-String Picking

DADGAD excels at cross-string picking — playing notes on non-adjacent strings so that each note can ring independently. This creates a harp-like, cascading sound that's impossible in standard tuning.

Try this: play notes on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th strings in sequence, letting each ring. The non-adjacent strings mean each note sustains freely, creating a bell-like cascade.

Celtic Music in DADGAD

DADGAD is the most popular tuning for Celtic guitar. Here's why:

1. The Key of D

Most Celtic music is in the key of D (or related modes like D Mixolydian and D Dorian). DADGAD gives you a low D drone and easy access to D chords and D-based modes.

2. Modal Harmony

Celtic music is often modal rather than based on traditional major/minor harmony. The Dsus4 quality of the open strings in DADGAD creates an ambiguous, modal sound that fits perfectly.

3. Ornamentation

Celtic music features rapid ornaments (grace notes, rolls, cuts). The open strings in DADGAD make these easier to execute because you can use open strings as "stepping stones" between fretted notes.

4. Accompanying Melodies

When accompanying a fiddle or flute, DADGAD allows you to play full, resonant chords while the melody instrument plays above. The drone strings fill the harmonic space without overpowering the melody.

Common Celtic Modes in DADGAD

• D Ionian (D major scale): D-E-F#-G-A-B-C#
• D Mixolydian: D-E-F#-G-A-B-C (flatted 7th — common in reels)
• D Dorian: D-E-F-G-A-B-C (minor 3rd, major 6th — common in airs)
• D Aeolian (D natural minor): D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C

The beauty of DADGAD is that you can move between these modes simply by changing which notes you emphasize, while the D drone remains constant.

Famous Songs and Players in DADGAD

Pierre Bensusan

French-Algerian guitarist Pierre Bensusan is perhaps the most famous DADGAD player. Virtually all of his music is in DADGAD, and he's developed techniques that make the tuning sound impossibly rich and complex. His compositions like "Wu Wei" and "The Last Pavan" are masterpieces of the tuning.

Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page used DADGAD for several Led Zeppelin songs:

• "Kashmir" — The iconic riff uses DADGAD for its droning, Eastern-sounding quality
• "Black Mountain Side" — An instrumental inspired by traditional Irish music
• "White Summer" — Another DADGAD instrumental with Eastern influences

Davey Graham

Davey Graham is credited with popularizing DADGAD in the 1960s. He discovered the tuning while traveling in Morocco and brought it back to the British folk scene, where it quickly spread.

Other Notable DADGAD Players

• Martin Carthy — English folk guitarist who uses DADGAD extensively
• John Renbourn — Another British folk guitarist who explored DADGAD
• Artie Traum — American fingerstyle guitarist
• Lawrence Juber — Former Paul McCartney guitarist who uses DADGAD for solo arrangements

Songs in DADGAD

• "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin
• "Black Mountain Side" by Led Zeppelin
• "Daniel" by Elton John (intro)
• "Cathedrals" by Jump Little Children
• "Auctioneer" by Derek Webb
• "Chemicals React" by Aly & AJ (uses DADGAD for the intro)

Advanced DADGAD Techniques

Harmonics

DADGAD creates beautiful harmonic opportunities because the open strings are tuned to sympathetic frequencies. Try playing natural harmonics at the 12th, 7th, and 5th frets — they'll produce notes that blend perfectly with the D drone.

Slides

Slide guitar in DADGAD is incredible. The tuning provides a D chord (with sus4) when played open, and the slide can create full chords by simply barring across the frets at the right positions.

Slack Key Influences

Hawaiian slack key guitar has influenced DADGAD players. Techniques like "chiming" (playing harmonics while fretting notes) and hammer-ons/pull-offs using open strings are common in both traditions.

Alternate Tunings Within DADGAD

Some players modify DADGAD for specific songs:

• DADGAD capoed at 2nd fret: Effectively EBEABE, useful for songs in E
• DADGAD capoed at 5th fret: Effectively GDGCDG, useful for songs in G
• CGCGCD: A lower variant sometimes called "CGDGA" or "Low DADGAD"

DADGAD vs. Other Alternate Tunings

DADGAD vs. Open D

Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) tunes all strings to a D major chord. DADGAD leaves the G string as G (not F#), creating a suspended sound. Open D is more definitively "major," while DADGAD is more modal and ambiguous.

DADGAD vs. Drop D

Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E) only changes one string. It's easier to transition to from standard tuning but doesn't offer the same drone quality or modal sound as DADGAD.

DADGAD vs. Open G

Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) is a G-based tuning popularized by Keith Richards. It's great for blues and rock but has a different character than DADGAD's modal, Celtic sound.

Tips for Getting Started with DADGAD

1. Start with open strings. Strum all six strings and listen to the Dsus4 sound. This is your "home base."
2. Learn the D chord family first. D, Dm, Dsus4, Dmaj7, and D add9 are the most commonly used chords.
3. Explore the drone. Play melodies on the upper strings while letting the low D ring. This is the essence of DADGAD.
4. Try a Celtic tune. A simple jig or reel in D will show you why DADGAD is so popular for Celtic music.
5. Use a capo. Capoing at the 2nd fret gives you E-based DADGAD, which is great for songs in E.
6. Experiment with cross-string picking. Play notes on non-adjacent strings and let them ring.
7. Listen to the masters. Pierre Bensusan and Jimmy Page are essential listening for DADGAD inspiration.

Using Revoz with DADGAD Tuning

Revoz fully supports DADGAD tuning through its built-in fretboard engine. When you select DADGAD from the tuning dropdown:

1. All chord voicings are recalculated for DADGAD
2. Voice leading algorithms adapt to the tuning's unique characteristics
3. You get accurate chord diagrams that show DADGAD-specific fingerings
4. The practice player can loop your progressions in DADGAD

Simply enter your chord progression, select DADGAD, and Revoz will generate voicings optimized for the tuning. This is especially useful for Celtic and folk progressions where standard chord shapes won't work.

Conclusion

DADGAD is more than just an alternate tuning — it's a gateway to a different way of thinking about guitar. The drone quality, modal sound, and open string access open up creative possibilities that standard tuning simply can't offer. Whether you're playing Celtic music, fingerstyle compositions, or just looking for new inspiration, DADGAD will change the way you hear and play the instrument.

Start by learning the basic chords, exploring the drone, and trying a few simple fingerpicking patterns. Then listen to the masters — Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Davey Graham — and let their music inspire you to find your own voice in this remarkable tuning.

Ready to explore DADGAD? Try Revoz with DADGAD selected and discover how your chord progressions sound in this beautiful alternate tuning.