
Drop B tuning

Drop B tuning is a heavy metal guitar tuning for a six-string guitar where the strings are tuned to B-F-B-E-G-C (or B-G♭-B-E-A♭-D♭). This is a "drop 1" tuning in the key of C (i.e. tune the whole guitar down a minor third from standard tuning, then the 6th string is lowered an additional whole step down). As a result, it uses the same fingering as all other "drop" tunings. This tuning and other drop tunings are popular with a variety of genres of metal music, including Nu-Metal bands. The tuning's use was popularized by Slipknot on their self-titled album.
Compared to standard tuning of a guitar E A D G B e the first (thickest or lower sound) string is tuned 5 frets lower (from E to B). The second string is tuned 3 frets lower (from A to F). The third string is tuned 3 frets lower (from D to B). The fourth string is tuned 3 frets lower (from G to E). The Fifth string is tuned 3 frets lower (from B to G) and the sixth string is tuned 3 frets lower (from E to C). The general opinion about tuning is that strings can be used for more stretching tuning (like from Drop B tuning to standard), but not to more loose tuning (so not from standard tuning to drop B). In that case the strings are too stretched out and hang loose on the guitar. New strings are required to start a loose tuning.