12-string guitar tuned half step down (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭)
Most 12-string owners, honestly, and anyone whose 12-string feels stiff or whose neck is pulling up.
A 12-string tuned a half step down keeps the same six courses, with octave strings on the low four and unison pairs on the top two, but every string sits a semitone below standard: E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭.
This is the most common way to own a 12-string. The twelve strings put a lot of tension on the neck, and a half step down takes a useful amount of it off while keeping the chiming sound. Many classic 12-string recordings were made this way.
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) | Octave string |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E♭2 | 77.78 Hz | E♭3 · 155.56 Hz |
| 5 | A♭2 | 103.83 Hz | A♭3 · 207.65 Hz |
| 4 | D♭3 | 138.59 Hz | D♭4 · 277.18 Hz |
| 3 | G♭3 | 185.00 Hz | G♭4 · 369.99 Hz |
| 2 | B♭3 | 233.08 Hz | B♭3 · 233.08 Hz |
| 1 | E♭4 | 311.13 Hz | E♭4 · 311.13 Hz |
From standard tuning
- String 6: lower E2 down a half step to E♭2.
- String 5: lower A2 down a half step to A♭2.
- String 4: lower D3 down a half step to D♭3.
- String 3: lower G3 down a half step to G♭3.
- String 2: lower B3 down a half step to B♭3.
- String 1: lower E4 down a half step to E♭4.
Tuning to Half step down in TuneGlass
- Open Settings and choose 12-string guitar.
- Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose Half step down from the presets. Presets beyond the thickest string are part of TuneGlass Pro, a one-time purchase.
- 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
- Tune each string of each course separately, muting its partner. The octave strings are thin and break if you overshoot, so always come up to the note from below.
- A capo on the first fret puts you back in concert pitch for playing with others.
Questions
What are the notes of a 12-string half step down?
E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ for the courses, with the E♭, A♭, D♭ and G♭ courses doubled an octave up and the B♭ and E♭ courses doubled in unison.
Why tune a 12-string down?
To reduce neck tension and make the instrument easier to play. The sound keeps its character, just slightly lower.
Related tunings
English