Maybe you tuned down to E flat for a singer who couldn’t reach the high notes, and now you want songs that already live there. You’re in good company, because a surprising number of classic riffs were cut a half step low.
Tuning down does more than fit a voice. It thickens your tone and takes a little tension off the strings, which is why so many bands lean on it.
That small shift opens up a big chunk of music. Below are 20 songs in this alternate tuning, split between electric and acoustic so you can jump to your instrument.
Want more once you finish? Browse some good beginner songs or test yourself on the hardest guitar songs, but first let’s start with what E flat tuning really is.
What Is E Flat Tuning?
E flat tuning, often written as Eb tuning or “half step down” tuning, takes standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and lowers every string by one half step. That gives you Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb from the lowest string to the highest.
Bands use it for a few reasons. The lower pitch adds a slightly heavier, warmer tone, the looser string tension makes big bends easier, and the dropped key is often friendlier for singers.
The best part for learning is that all your chord shapes and scale patterns stay exactly the same. You just have to be in tune with the recording, which is why these songs sound “off” if you try them in standard tuning.
Our Favorite E Flat Tuning Songs For Electric Guitar
Here are our favorite electric guitar songs from the top musicians, guitarists, and bands, all played one half step down.
1. Guns N’ Roses - Paradise City
“Paradise City” is a song by the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, featured on their debut album, “Appetite for Destruction.” It’s the sixth track of the album.
It was released as a second single in November 1988, peaking at number 3 on the Mainstream Rock chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Play this one at high volume.
If you love GNR, try “Sweet Child O’ Mine” too, since it lives in the same tuning.
2. Michael Jackson - Beat It
This is an excellent guitar riff to learn. “Beat It” is a song written, performed, and produced by American recording artist Michael Jackson.
It was released as the second single from the singer’s sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). The recording sessions took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, and the track features rock guitar riffs and the famous guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.
3. Alice in Chains - Nutshell
Jerry Cantrell is an underrated guitarist in my opinion. “Nutshell” is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains, featured on their Jar of Flies EP (1994).
The song was written by vocalist Layne Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell, and its haunting, clean tone is a perfect showcase for what Eb tuning does to a moody, slow song.
4. The Police - Every Breath You Take
Guitar players love this quality song choice. “Every Breath You Take” is a song by the English rock band The Police from their 1983 album Synchronicity.
Written by Sting, it was released as the fourth single from the album and reached number one in the United States for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, also topping the charts in Canada, Germany, and Spain. In 1984 it was nominated for three Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal.
The repeating arpeggiated riff is great picking practice.
5. Green Day - American Idiot
Ready for some pop punk guitar tones? “American Idiot” is a song by the American punk rock band Green Day, released in 2004 as the lead single from their album of the same name.
It was written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and produced by Green Day and Rob Cavallo. The driving power chords are simple to learn and a blast to play loud.
6. Linkin Park - In The End
Ready for a more modern rock tune? “In the End” is a song by the American rock band Linkin Park from their debut studio album, Hybrid Theory (2000).
It was released as the album’s fourth single and became one of the band’s signature songs, blending a clean piano motif with heavier, downtuned guitars.
7. AC/DC - Highway To Hell
Another classic that beginner guitarists can learn. “Highway to Hell” is a song written by Bon Scott, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young and released by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC on their 1979 album Highway to Hell.
It’s one of AC/DC’s signature songs, and the main riff is a rite of passage for new rock players.
8. Van Halen - Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Crank your guitar amp and rock out. “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” is a song by the American hard rock band Van Halen from their 1978 self-titled debut album, sung by David Lee Roth.
It was released as a single in 1978 and remains one of the band’s most recognizable tracks, built on a simple but punchy two-chord riff.
9. Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing
Get out your Fender Stratocaster. “Little Wing” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967 for the album Axis: Bold as Love.
The chord-melody style, where Hendrix mixes chords and embellishments, is the reason this song is studied by guitarists decades later.
10. Heart - Alone
“Alone” is a power ballad recorded by the American rock band Heart for their 1987 album Bad Animals. Released as a single in 1987, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Heart’s biggest hits.
The dynamic shift from quiet verses to a huge chorus makes it a satisfying one to learn.
Our Favorite E Flat Tuning Songs For Acoustic Guitar
Here are our favorite acoustic guitar songs played one half step down.
11. Extreme - More Than Words
An acoustic guitar classic. “More Than Words” is a song by the American rock band Extreme, released in 1990 on their album Extreme II: Pornograffitti.
It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and is famous for its percussive, fingerstyle acoustic arrangement that doubles as a great lesson in muting and timing.
12. Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is a song by the American hard rock band Poison, originally released in 1988 on their album Open Up and Say… Ahh!
The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of Poison’s biggest hits. Its open-chord verses make it very approachable for newer players.
13. Nirvana - About A Girl (Acoustic)
“About a Girl” is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by frontman Kurt Cobain and originally released on their 1989 debut album Bleach. The acoustic version from MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) is the one most players learn, and its simple chord progression is perfect for beginners.
14. Rise Against - Swing Life Away
“Swing Life Away” is a song by the American punk rock band Rise Against, released on their 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture. The acoustic arrangement is a fan favorite and a friendly entry point into strumming patterns and chord transitions.
15. Taylor Swift - You’re Not Sorry
“You’re Not Sorry” is a song written by Taylor Swift, Liz Rose, and Hillary Lindsey, included on Swift’s 2008 album Fearless. The slow tempo and steady chord changes make it a relaxed acoustic song to practice in Eb tuning.
16. Luke Combs - Six Feet Apart
“Six Feet Apart” is a song by American country singer Luke Combs, released in 2020. The straightforward chord progression and heartfelt delivery make it a great pick for country players who like to keep their guitar tuned a half step down.
17. Daughtry - Home (Acoustic)
“Home” is a song by the American rock band Daughtry, released as a single from their 2006 self-titled debut album. It peaked inside the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, and the acoustic-leaning arrangement is built on warm, ringing open chords.
18. Audioslave - Like A Stone (Acoustic)
“Like a Stone” is a song by the American rock band Audioslave, released as the second single from their 2002 self-titled debut album. It reached number one on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts.
The mellow, clean intro translates beautifully to acoustic guitar.
19. Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer
“The Boxer” is a song by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1969 and later included on their album Bridge over Troubled Water. It was written by Paul Simon over the course of one weekend on Martha’s Vineyard.
The fingerpicked acoustic part is a classic study in folk guitar.
20. Ed Sheeran - Wake Me Up
Here’s a nice acoustic guitar song in Eb. “Wake Me Up” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released as a single from his debut album + (Plus) in 2011.
It was written by Sheeran along with Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac, and its gentle fingerstyle arrangement is a satisfying one to learn slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notes is E flat tuning?
E flat tuning lowers all six strings a half step from standard. From the lowest string to the highest, the notes are Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, and Eb.
Many players simply call it “half step down” tuning because every string drops by one fret’s worth of pitch.
Why do guitarists tune down to E flat?
There are three main reasons. The lower pitch gives a slightly heavier and warmer tone, the reduced string tension makes string bends and vibrato easier, and the dropped key can be more comfortable for a singer.
Famous players like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan used Eb tuning for exactly these reasons.
Can I play E flat songs in standard tuning?
You can play the same chord shapes and patterns, but the song will sound a half step too high compared to the recording, so it won’t match if you play along. To sound correct with the original track, you either need to tune your guitar down to Eb or transpose every shape down one fret, which is awkward for most songs.
Do I need heavier strings for E flat tuning?
You don’t strictly need them, but many players prefer slightly heavier strings in Eb to make up for the looser tension. Lighter strings can feel a little floppy when tuned down.
If you plan to stay in E flat most of the time, a slightly thicker gauge will keep the feel tight and the tone full.
Final Thoughts
E flat tuning is one of the easiest ways to unlock a huge catalog of great songs, from heavy rock riffs to gentle acoustic ballads. Because all your chord shapes and scales stay the same, the only real work is getting in tune with the recording and getting used to the slightly looser feel of the strings.
Remember that Eb tuning songs don’t have to be slow or heavy. There are plenty of upbeat covers in this tuning too.
If you’re into country, try Taylor Swift’s “Ours,” and look into Ed Sheeran, Hank Williams Jr., and Carrie Underwood for more half step down material. If you lean toward metal or hard rock, bands like Metallica, Thin Lizzy, Weezer, Motorhead, Slayer, Def Leppard, and Lynyrd Skynyrd all have songs in this tuning.
Tune down, take it slow, and have fun working through the list. Once you get comfortable in Eb, you’ll start hearing how many of your favorite songs were recorded a half step down all along.
