Guitar and technique
DADGAD tuning
DADGAD is a guitar tuning (D A D G A D, low to high) whose open strings form a Dsus4 chord, widely used in Celtic and acoustic folk music.
What is DADGAD tuning?
The name spells out the six strings from 6th to 1st: D A D G A D. Strummed open they form a Dsus4 (D, G, A), a suspended chord with no third, so it is neither major nor minor.
British guitarist Davy Graham popularised it in the 1960s, and it became the signature tuning of Celtic guitar and acoustic folk. Jimmy Page used it on "Kashmir" and "Black Mountain Side". Unlike an open tuning, it does not give you a major chord on the open strings, and that ambiguity is exactly its appeal.
How do you tune your guitar to DADGAD?
From standard tuning, lower three strings by a whole step:
- 6th string: E down to D;
- 2nd string: B down to A;
- 1st string: E down to D.
If you are already in Drop D, only strings 2 and 1 are left. Check by ear: 5th string 5th fret = open 4th (D), 4th string 5th fret = open 3rd (G), 3rd string 2nd fret = open 2nd (A), 2nd string 5th fret = open 1st (D).
What chords can you play in DADGAD?
Open strings ring all the time, so small shapes go a long way:
| Chord | Strings 6 to 1 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dsus4 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 | D A D G A D |
| D5 | 0 0 0 2 0 0 | D A D A A D |
| D | 0 0 4 2 0 0 | D A F# A A D |
| G | 5 5 0 0 2 0 | G D D G B D |
| Asus4 | x 0 2 2 0 0 | A E A A D |
| Em7(11) | x 2 2 0 0 0 | B E G A D |
Play D5, G, Asus4, D5 at 80 BPM and let everything ring. For more shapes and the scales, open the alternate tunings tool.
Why does DADGAD sound Celtic?
With no open third, the low strings make a drone of D and A, much like bagpipes. The melody decides the colour, usually in the Mixolydian (D E F# G A B C) or Dorian (D E F G A B C) modes.
Exercise: let strings 6, 5 and 4 ring open and play 0, 2, 4, 5, 4, 2, 0 on the 1st string (D E F# G F# E D). Then swap the 4th fret for the 3rd (F instead of F#): you move from Mixolydian to Dorian and the tune turns minor without touching the bass.
Common DADGAD mistakes
- Reaching for standard fingerings: only strings 5, 4 and 3 are unchanged, so familiar shapes only half work.
- Muting the open strings: resonance is the whole point. Fret on your fingertips with arched fingers.
- Forgetting the third: state major or minor in the melody (F# or F), or everything stays suspended.
Key takeaways
- DADGAD = D A D G A D: strings 6, 2 and 1 lowered a whole step from standard.
- The open strings form a Dsus4 with no third.
- Small shapes plus open strings (D5, G, Asus4) are enough to accompany a song.
- The melody picks the mode: F# for Mixolydian, F for Dorian.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DADGAD and Open D?
Just one string: the 3rd. In Open D (D A D F# A D) it is F# and the open strum is major. In DADGAD it is G and the open strum is Dsus4. Moving that one string by a half step switches between the two.
Can you play in other keys in DADGAD?
Yes, with a capo. Capo at the 2nd fret puts you in E (E B E A B E) with the same fingerings, and capo 5 puts you in G. Without a capo, D and G are the most natural keys.
Is DADGAD good for fingerpicking?
It is its home ground: your thumb keeps a drone on strings 6 and 4 while your fingers play the melody on the top strings. A huge number of solo Celtic guitar arrangements are written in this tuning.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.