In Drop D
Riff in E (standard tuning) G|----------------|----------------| D|----------------|-------5---7----| A|-------3---5----|-5h7------------| D|-2-2-----------5|----------------| G|----------------|--------------------| D|----------------|--------------------| A|---------2---0--|-----0--2--3--------| D|-2-2-5-------5--|-2--------------2---|
Notes stay on the same string where the new tuning allows, and move to the nearest string that can play them where it does not. Text that is not tab (titles, lyrics, chord names) is copied through unchanged.
About the Bass Tab Tuning Converter
Guitar Tool Hub's bass tab converter re-writes bass tab for a different tuning. Paste tab written for one of 9 bass tunings — standard 4-string, Drop D, half step down, full step down, Drop C, BEAD, standard 5-string, 5-string high C or standard 6-string — and it re-frets every note for the tuning you choose, keeping its exact pitch. The tuning is read from the string names, notes stay on the same string where they can, and columns stay lined up when a fret number gains a digit. Notes below the new tuning's lowest string are raised an octave or marked. Converting from 4-string to 5 or 6-string adds the new strings, and going the other way moves their notes.
- 01Converts between 9 bass tunings, 4, 5 and 6-string
- 02Every note keeps its pitch
- 03Reads the tuning from the string names, or set it yourself
- 04Keeps notes on the same string where it can
- 05Keeps columns aligned when fret numbers grow
- 06Notes out of range raised an octave or marked
- 07Text that is not tab passes through unchanged
- 08Copy the result, or convert it again
Frequently Asked Questions
Paste the tab, leave From on auto-detect (or pick Standard 4-string) and set To to Drop D. Only the lowest string changes: it is tuned a whole step down, so every note on it moves up 2 frets (an open E becomes fret 2). The other three strings are the same in both tunings, so their frets do not change.
Yes. Set To to Standard 5-string. The E, A, D and G strings keep their notes and a low B string is added. Going the other way, from 5-string to 4-string, notes on the low B string are moved onto the E string, and any note below the open E is raised an octave or marked with a question mark, as you choose.
It reads the string names at the start of each line, such as D A D G for Drop D or Eb Ab Db Gb for a half step down, and matches them against its 9 tunings. If the tab has no string names, it assumes standard tuning for that number of strings. You can always set the From tuning yourself.
A note lower than the new tuning's lowest open string cannot be played at the same pitch. You can have those notes raised an octave, which keeps the riff playable, or marked with a question mark so you can decide yourself. The counts under the result show how many notes were moved, raised or left unplayable.
Yes. When a fret number gets wider, for example 9 becoming 11, every string in that column is padded so the notes stay lined up in time. Bar lines, hammer-ons, slides and other marks stay where they were, and lines that are not tab, such as titles and lyrics, are copied through unchanged.
If a song is written for Drop D or a 5-string and your bass is in standard, converting the tab lets you play it without retuning, as long as the notes are in range. It also works the other way: if you play in a lower tuning, you can convert tabs written for standard to your tuning.
Yes. The bass tab converter is free, runs in your browser and needs no account. Your tab is converted on your device and is not uploaded anywhere.