Stringed Instrument Tunings - D

D

Instrument Strings & Courses Tuning(s) Alternative Names Origin Notes Picture
Đàn đáy 3 strings

3 courses

 G3•C4•F4 Vo de cam,

Đàn đáy

 Vietnam
Đàn nguyệt 2 strings

2 courses"

 Nguyệt cầm,

Đàn kìm

 Vietnam * There is no fixed tuning: one string is tuned to a convenient vocal pitch, the other is tuned a 4th, a 5th or (rarely) an octave above that.
Dihu 2 strings

2 courses

 * G2 D3
  • D3 A3
 Dadihu, Dahu, Ziaodihu, Zhongdihu China A larger version of the Erhu.

Either tuning may be considered standard.
Domra 3 strings

3 courses

 E4•A4•D5 Russia
Domra 4 strings

4 courses

 G3•D4•A4•E5 Ukraine Same as mandolin tuning
Dotar 2 strings

2 courses

 Standard/Common:

D3•G3

Alternate:

  • D3•A3
 Dutar Uzbekistan This instrument is found in many forms throughout central Asia.
Dotara 4 strings

4 courses

 F#3•C#3•F#4•B4 India
Dotara 6 strings

5 courses

 G2 G3•C4•G4•G4•C5 Bangladesh
Double bass 4 strings

4 courses

 Standard/Common:

E1•A1•D2•G2

Alternates:

  • Drop D: D1•A1•D2•G2
  • Solo Tuning: F#1•B1•E2•A2
  • With low 'C' machine:

C1•A1•D2•G2

  • 'C' Machine "Legion":

B0•A1•D2•G2

 Bass, bass fiddle, contrabass, string bass, standup bass, doghouse Europe Standard AKA "orchestral tuning"
Double bass, 5-string 5 strings

5 courses

 Standard/Common:

C1•E1•A1•D2•G2

Alternates:

  • Modern 4th tuning:

B0•E1•A1•D2•G2

 Bass, bass fiddle, contrabass, string bass, standup bass, doghouse Europe Standard AKA "orchestral tuning"
Dranyen 7 strings

3 courses

 A3 A3•D4 D3 D3•G3 G3 Dramyin, Dramnyen Bhutan and Tibet Standard AKA "Bhutanese tuning"
Dranyen 6 strings

3 courses

 A3 A3•D3 D3•G3 G3 Dramyin, Dramnyen Bhutan and Tibet Standard AKA "Tibetan tuning"
Dulcimer 3-6 strings

3 courses

 Standard 3-string:

A3•A3•D3

Standard 6-string: A3 A3•A3 A3•D3 D3

Alternates:

  • Mixolydian tuning: D4•A3•D3
  • Dorian Tuning: G3•A3•D3
  • Aeolian Tuning: C4•A3•D3
  • Galax: D4•D4•D4
  • 'Bagpipe' Tuning: D4•D3•D3
 Mountain Dulcimer, Appalachian Dulcimer, Lap Dulcimer, Dulcimore, Delcimore, Delcimer US Standard AKA "Ionian Tuning"; Galax AKA "unison tuning"; there are many, many variations.

Dulcimers with 3, 4, 5, and 6 strings exist, usually 3 courses, but sometimes with 4 courses. (The traditional dulcimer is fretted diatonically whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole. )

Read more about this topic:  Stringed Instrument Tunings