Drop D tuning

Drop D tuning is frequently used in heavy metal and its various subgenres, as guitarists in these styles often need fast transitions between power chords.

It also allows the playing of open D chords that include the fifth and sixth strings, letting the full sonority of the guitar be heard.

[2] Early hard rock songs tuned in drop D include The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and Led Zeppelin's "Moby Dick", both first released in 1969.

In the mid 1980s, three alternative rock bands, King's X, Soundgarden, and Melvins, influenced by Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, made extensive use of drop D tuning.

This new technique of playing power chords introduced by these early grunge bands was a great influence on many artists, such as Rage Against the Machine and Tool.

These tunings are very popular among Alternative metal, metalcore and deathcore acts like Trivium, Emmure, Breaking Benjamin, August Burns Red, and Suicide Silence, where fast chord changes are an essential part of the sound.

Progressive metal acts such as Pain of Salvation, Opeth, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater use these tunings in some of their E-tuned songs.