Suggest Some Drop D Songs

[fpuhan]

On a recent trip through Australia I was introduced to "Raining On The Rock," a song by John Williamson about Uluru. I thought it would be nice to play at my next gig as a tribute to the land and its people.

It's a fairly simple song, and the Drop D tuning adds a layer of depth and warmth to it.

Drop D is a new tuning for me and searching for other songs in it leads me to a lot of heavy metal material, which is not my thing. Dear Prudence, by the Beatles is more to my liking, as is Midnight Rider, by the Allman Bros.

Any other songs I should consider? I like expanding my repertoire and capabilities.

[rmp]

I've found almost anything in the key of D will work.

Just gotta be mindful of that "open E string"

I've made a few arrangements my own by adding drop D tuning.

I also will often use a Drop D (Partial) capo and sometimes I'll double up with a standard capo one full step behind the partial.

that lets me move "DROP D" tuning to any key on the fretboard.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Try it on any song you like. What's the worst that could happen?

I use it for "Spoonful," "Another Man Done Gone," "Mexican Divorce," "Four and Twenty," and "Hang Me, Oh, Hang Me." I'm in a duo, and when my partner plays something in D, I often drop it. Capos expand the possibilities, but I don't often bother with those.

Wherever a low drone might sound good, try it. It's the poor player's baritone. It especially lends itself to blues and mountain music.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by rmp

. . . Just gotta be mindful of that "open E string" . . .

Yup. I often drop the high E, too: double-drop-D tuning.

Originally Posted by rmp

I also will often use a Drop D (Partial) capo and sometimes I'll double up with a standard capo one full step behind the partial. . . .

To make life easier on a noisy stage, I put a Hipshot drop-D lever on my main guitar. Love it. The only hazard is remembering to flip it back up when I want standard tuning.

[BlueStarfish]

Just about any three-chord song that you would otherwise choose to do in the key of D, could be arranged in Drop D. Also, songs in D Minor or D "modal" (e.g., D Dorian). What songs do you already play in those keys?

There is also the old trick of putting a capo on fret 2, with the capo only covering strings 1-5. They make special "cut" capos for this purpose, but you can also use a regular Shubb, just flip it around and put it on only partway. With the capo mounted this way, you can play songs out of D position, but transposed up 1 full step to E, and be able to use the low E bass note. So it's almost but not quite "Drop E". Standard tuning chord shapes all work, you won't need the Drop D version of a G chord. Sounds great for songs in E, E Minor, E Dorian. Do you already have songs in your repertoire in those keys?

[LAPlayer]

Hmmmmm, the list of Drop-D songs must begin and end with "Midnight Rider".

[Charlie Bernstein]

PS -

If your asking us to name songs by popular artists that they recorded in drop-D, I have no idea. Looks like LAPlayer has one.

[6L6]

Embryonic Journey

[Charlie Bernstein]

PPS: And I just remembered this video.

Also, you might look around on YouTube for some Bennett Hammond. He's a big New England drop-D booster.

[Robin, Wales]

Dropped D - capo 3 key of F#

[TomB'sox]

I like to use drop D with Norwegian wood, it really adds that low end rumble at the end of the lick. Like others have said, anything in the key of D sounds better with the drop D. IMO of course.

[Chipotle]

My favorite drop-D song is "Never Going Back" by Fleetwood Mac. Gotta learn that finger-picking, tho! (The original key is actually drop-F# because you tune to drop-D then capo on the 4th fret.)

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by fpuhan

On a recent trip through Australia I was introduced to "Raining On The Rock," a song by John Williamson about Uluru. I thought it would be nice to play at my next gig as a tribute to the land and its people.

It's a fairly simple song, and the Drop D tuning adds a layer of depth and warmth to it.

Drop D is a new tuning for me and searching for other songs in it leads me to a lot of heavy metal material, which is not my thing. Dear Prudence, by the Beatles is more to my liking, as is Midnight Rider, by the Allman Bros.

Any other songs I should consider? I like expanding my repertoire and capabilities.

Hi fpuhan
Any song in key of D or G.

[hubcapsc]

Rocky Mountain High...

A song called Lola from that pre-fleetwood Buckingham Nicks album.

-Mike

[Gitfiddlemann]

This is one of my favorite Drop D tunes, Howard Emerson's "Dew Rag". A great one for just kicking back and enjoying your guitar. And practice palm muting!

Howard makes it sound so easy....