Bass half step down (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭)
Any bassist playing with guitars in E♭: Hendrix, Guns N' Roses, Alice in Chains, Slayer and countless others.
E♭1A♭1D♭2G♭2
Half step down on bass lowers every string one semitone: E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭. It is the bass partner of E♭ guitar tuning, used across classic rock, blues and metal whenever the guitars are a half step down.
The feel barely changes; the strings are a touch looser and the whole band sits a semitone lower.
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) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | E♭1 | 38.89 Hz | −1 semitone from E1 |
| 3 | A♭1 | 51.91 Hz | −1 semitone from A1 |
| 2 | D♭2 | 69.30 Hz | −1 semitone from D2 |
| 1 | G♭2 | 92.50 Hz | −1 semitone from G2 |
From standard tuning
- String 4: lower E1 down a half step to E♭1.
- String 3: lower A1 down a half step to A♭1.
- String 2: lower D2 down a half step to D♭2.
- String 1: lower G2 down a half step to G♭2.
Tuning to Half step down in TuneGlass
- Open Settings and choose 4-string bass.
- 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
- All four strings move, so check them twice.
- No string change needed; standard gauges are comfortable a half step down.
Questions
What are the notes of bass half step down?
E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ from the thickest string, the same as D♯ G♯ C♯ F♯.
Is this the same as E♭ tuning on bass?
Yes. E♭ standard, E flat and half step down describe the same thing.
Related tunings
English