7-string Drop A tuning is A E A D G B E, from lowest string to highest. It is standard 7-string tuning with the lowest B dropped to A, giving you the same root–fifth–octave relationship across the bottom three strings that makes Drop D and Drop C so riff-friendly.
What is 7-string Drop A tuning?
Standard 7-string tuning is B E A D G B E. Lower only the seventh string by one whole step, from B to A, and you have A E A D G B E. The six higher strings stay in standard tuning, while the extra low A extends the guitar below the low E of a regular six-string.
| String | 7-string standard | Drop A |
|---|---|---|
| 7 (lowest) | B | A |
| 6 | E | E |
| 5 | A | A |
| 4 | D | D |
| 3 | G | G |
| 2 | B | B |
| 1 (highest) | E | E |
How to tune a 7-string guitar to Drop A
- Tune the guitar to B E A D G B E.
- Lower the seventh string from B to A.
- Compare open string 7 (A) with string 5 at the 12th fret; they are an octave apart.
- Check intonation and tuning stability, particularly on the heavier low-A string.
This is a modest retune from 7-string standard, so it is convenient for players who switch between the two. The low string still benefits from a gauge and setup suited to its scale length and picking attack.
Drop A power chords and riffs
Strings 7, 6, and 5 are A, E, A: a root, fifth, and octave. Barre those three strings at the same fret for a compact power chord. Open is A5; fret 3 is C5; fret 5 is D5; fret 7 is E5; fret 10 is G5; and fret 12 is A5 again.
The practical advantage is not only the low A. You can keep the familiar six-string E A D G B E vocabulary above it, then use the seventh string for pedal tones, octave-doubled riffs, or one-finger power-chord slides.
Chords in Drop A
Chord shapes on strings 6–1 remain exactly as they are in standard tuning. The new information is the seventh string: it is no longer B, so any full seven-string voicing that includes it must be checked by ear and by note. Muting string 7 preserves familiar six-string chord grips; adding the open A can create a powerful bass pedal under A minor, A5, or modal riffs.
For clean harmony, be intentional about the low A. It will support some chords, clash productively with others, and muddy still others. In dense arrangements, leave space around the low register instead of doubling every chord across all seven strings.
Scales for Drop A
A Natural Minor
A natural minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. On the open seventh string the first octave is immediate: open A, fret 2 B, fret 3 C, fret 5 D, fret 7 E, fret 8 F, fret 10 G, fret 12 A. Use the open A as a tonal anchor while you map the rest of the scale across the standard-tuned six upper strings.
A Phrygian and Phrygian Dominant
A Phrygian is A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G. The B♭ at fret 1 against the open A is the defining tension. A Phrygian Dominant changes C to C#, producing A, B♭, C#, D, E, F, G for a more exotic major-third color over the same low pedal.
→ Map A natural minor in 7-string Drop A
→ Map A Phrygian in 7-string Drop A
Common 7-string Drop A progressions
i – ♭VII – ♭VI: A minor – G – F. Play the roots on strings 7–5 at frets 0, 10, and 8, then let the higher strings supply melody or chord color.
i – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VII: A minor – F – C – G. A reliable modern-rock progression with an especially strong open-A starting point.
i – ♭II: A5 – B♭5. Move from open to fret 1 for the tight, low Phrygian semitone that defines many Drop A riffs.
Drop A vs 7-string standard
| 7-string standard | 7-string Drop A | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning | B E A D G B E | A E A D G B E |
| Lowest open note | B | A |
| Strings 6–1 | Standard E A D G B E | Standard E A D G B E |
| Low power chords | Two-finger shape | One-finger barre on 7–5 |
| Best for | Extended-range chord and lead work | Low-riff writing with familiar upper strings |
Visualize 7-string Drop A
Choose 7-String Drop A in AltTuningLab to see the full A E A D G B E neck. Set A as the chord root with Power (5)to inspect the three-string barre, then add A natural minor or Phrygian to connect riffs and lead positions.
→ Open Drop A with A5 and A natural minor
Songs to learn in 7-string Drop A
These tracks are useful studies in the tuning's low-string power chords, extended-range riff writing, and the contrast between a heavy seventh string and familiar standard-tuned upper strings.
- Dream Theater – “The Dark Eternal Night” — a progressive-metal workout for low-string riffs, unison ideas, and seven-string articulation.
- Whitechapel – “Death Becomes Him”— a direct lesson in Drop A's heavy rhythm sound, with dense low-register riffs and breakdown-focused writing.
- Thy Art Is Murder – “The Son of Misery” — uses the low A for aggressive riff movement and a strongly rhythmic deathcore feel.
- Suicide Silence – “Disengage” — a compact practice piece for palm-muted chugs, low-string control, and tight stops.
Start by learning the rhythm parts with a metronome before adding the lead material. On a 7-string, clean muting of the unused low string is essential to keeping riffs defined.
Next steps
Drop A is a useful bridge between six-string Drop tunings and extended-range writing: the six upper strings are still familiar, but the low register changes the arrangement. For a lower six-string alternative, explore Drop C; for the same Drop concept on six strings at a higher pitch, see Drop D.