The Best Drop D Flat Songs on the Guitar (2023 Edition)

If you’re looking for the best drop D flat songs on the guitar, you’ve come to the right post!

Here they are in no particular order!

1. Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana

The drop D-flat tuning may not be as common as some other tunings. However, it’s featured in Nirvana’s classic “Heart-Shaped Box.” Detuning the guitar can work well for grunge music, adding some additional growl to the distorted guitar tone.

Overall, this one isn’t that hard to play. However, there are some nuances to sort out. Sure, it’s not a virtuosic piece. But it takes a great sense of feel to get all of its riffs sounding right.

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2. Down with the Sickness by Disturbed

Of course, this is an obligatory classic for the list. Released back in 2000, “Down with the Sickness” was an instant classic. Even to this day, it remains Disturbed’s most popular song. And it’s often one of the songs synonymous with the nu-metal subgenre.

For the most part, “Down with the Sickness” is pretty straightforward. You have your power chords and palm-muted single-note riffs. There are also plenty of smaller fills in there. But, for the most part, you’ll be using the tuning’s simplified power chord fingering.

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3. Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold continues the legacy of old metal legends. Their music is diverse, spanning from early metalcore to classic hard rock. But even after all these years, “Hail to the King” remains their staple song.

The song’s main riff isn’t that hard to play. What’s interesting is that the song is in the key of E-flat minor. However, it also uses the open D-flat power chord. In most cases, you’d expect a metal or rock song to be the same key as the lowest string. But this was different in “Hail to the King.”

Additionally, the song has interesting lead parts. After all, you can’t expect anything different from Synyster Gates.

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4. No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne

If you’re a fan of classic metal with some high-gain guitars, then “No More Tears” is a song for you. Featuring none other than Zakk Wylde on guitar, it features drop D-flat tuning. For the most part, the song has those chugging and pinch harmonics parts. However, it all fits nicely with keyboards and Ozzy’s lead vocals.

This one is a must for every guitar-playing metal fan. Additionally, it’s a great way to get accustomed to drop tunings.

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5. Numb by Linkin Park

Linkin Park’s “Numb” is one of those gateway metal songs. When it came out, it was a perfect blend of different styles. In a way, it’s a combination of modern pop and the 1990s alternative metal.

From my experience, this is one of the best songs for guitar beginners. It’s a pretty simple one with basic chord progressions and power chords. However, you also get the chance to get a hold of timing and rhythm. And you can also play it with a backing track. This way, you realize how distorted electric guitars work with keyboards and other instruments. 

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6. 512 by Lamb of God

On the other hand, Lamb of God has more demanding rhythm and solo guitar parts. Their song “512” is a great example. Sure, there are a lot of parts with the chugging open bottom string. However, rhythmical patterns are far from simple.

Additionally, the song has a pretty decent solo. It’s a great way to explore the pentatonic scale and how it works in metal.

There are some serious Pantera vibes in this piece. But at the same time, Lamb of God retains their signature style.

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7. Them Bones by Alice in Chains

Now, going back to some grunge, we have “Them Bones” by Alice in Chains. We could argue that this is where grunge meets metal. The riffs are pretty heavy. However, they still have serious grungy vibes.

Firstly, the main riff is filled with chromatics. Secondly, it works well with the somewhat melodic vocals. And finally, the guitar tone is so juicy. It’s not super high-gain. But it sounds incredibly heavy. It’s organic, featuring a lot of punchy mids in the mix.

Additionally, it’s a great song to introduce yourself to drop tunings. It shouldn’t be that difficult. And yet you get a bit unusual rhythmic patterns in some of its parts.

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8. Electric Sunrise by Plini

Now, here’s a completely different one. Outside of guitar-playing circles, not many people know of Plini. However, his solo work is incredible in every sense. Instrumental “Electric Sunrise” is appealing both to shredders and casual music lovers.

And this is a great piece for everyone aiming to step up their playing skills. Of course, it’s not simple to get ahold of it. But some parts can help you get better.

What’s also interesting is that it mixes prog metal with softer elements. It’s just all over the place and incredibly fun to play. However, it may not be the best choice for beginner players.

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9. In Waves by Trivium

On the other hand, if you want metal, then try Trivium’s “In Waves.” Overall, this is an absolute banger from start to finish. It starts as somewhat of a 2000s-style metalcore piece. However, as you go further, you notice other elements.

For the most part, the song keeps a steady groove. The second half is a bit different but you still have those heavy down-tuned riffs.

What’s also great here is that the tuning isn’t super-low. Some would expect these riffs to be in drop B or drop A. But the song actually sounds pretty tight in drop D-flat. 

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10. My Own Summer (Shove It) by Deftones

“My Own Summer” is an absolute 1990s classic. And the song still sounds fresh even to this day. Just shows how ahead of their time Deftones have always been.

The main riff might sound simple but it really isn’t. If you’re a beginner, you’d need to sync your picking and fretting hands. Additionally, there’s some palm muting involved. And the song also changes dynamics.

Sure, it’s all mostly single-note riffs and power chords. But your performance needs to be spot-on if you want it to sound good.

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11. Lost in Hollywood by System of a Down

I’d also mention System of a Down and one of their songs. What’s interesting is that they usually go with the drop C tuning. However, a song like “Lost in Hollywood” is in drop D-flat tuning.

As far as the guitar goes, the song is mostly clean. In some parts, it seems that the guitar tone breaks up a little. Daron Malakian probably had a tube-driven amp or a simple overdrive pedal here.

There are a few things that I like about this one. First, it’s not a difficult one to play. You can figure it out easily. Second, it doesn’t rely completely on power chords. There are some interesting intervals for a beginner to explore. And third, it’s a great way to practice your dynamics. Especially if you’re playing it with a whole band.

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Best Drop D Flat Songs: Conclusion

I hope this article has given you some ideas of songs to try in this unique tuning!