E Flat Tuning (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb) is another alternative tuning setup that so many musicians use. It is also known as the Half Step Down tuning. It allows you to play lower keys while using open strings.
If you are not sure about this tuning, check out my post E Flat (E♭) Tuning for Guitar
By being in lower keys, the singer might sing the high notes more easily, or the song you play can sound differently. It is not a coincidence that almost every Guns N Roses song is composed in E Flat Tuning, which adds so much to their fame and success.
Various other bands and guitarists are playing in this setup, such as Alice In Chains, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and B.B. King. Here are some famous guitar songs in E Flat Tuning listed for you!
Sweet Child O Mine – Guns N Roses
Sweet Child O Mine is the most famous song by Guns N Roses of all time. The song was released in 1988 and appeared on the band’s first album, Appetite for Destruction.
This tune is a great example of a song played in E flat tuning. This tab shows the lead guitar part that Slash is playing. The song begins with the famous guitar melody intro, which is repeated throughout the song. Besides the guitar solo, there is a couple of guitar licks on the chorus and the interludes.
Sweet Child O Mine Guitar Tabs
In The End – Linkin Park
This tune is Linkin Park’s popular song that appears on their amazing album, Hybrid Theory, released in 2001. This tune has collected many awards and been listed in the biggest charts over the years.
In The End has only 4 chords to play as the rhythm guitar. The guitar parts are pretty easy throughout the whole song. There is a simple harmonics-melody in the verses, and chords are played in the chorus.
If you want to learn some other songs in a different tuning, check out my other article Top 40 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs In D Standard – Tabs Included
Every Breath You Take – The Police
Every Breath You Take is the most known song by The Police. Sting wrote this tune in 1983 and appeared on the band’s album Synchronicity. This song became a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later.
The guitar parts are written brilliantly in this song. A great arpeggio progression is kept playing in the background from the beginning to the end. It is played with a well-delayed and reverbed electric guitar.
Every Breath You Take Guitar Chords
Beat It – Michael Jackson
Beat It is the most famous and one of the greatest pop and dance-rock songs of all time. The song was released in 1983 and appeared on Jackson’s same-titled album. It is a cornerstone of the history of pop music for sure.
Michael Jackson has collaborated with Eddie Van Halen for the guitar parts of this tune. Beat It has distinctive guitar riffs throughout the song and an unforgettable guitar solo part.
Here Without You – 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down was a massive band in the early 2000s. Here Without You is one of their popular songs that was released in 2003. The tune appears on the album Away from the Sun.
Here Without You is a very easy song to play in E flat. It has only 4 chords to be played with arpeggios for the whole song: Bm, A, G, and D.
Here Without You Guitar Chords
Don’t be afraid to experiment with another alternate tuning. Check out my other list Top 50 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs In Drop C – Tabs Included
Patience – Guns N’ Roses
Patience is from the famous band’s 2nd album. It was released in 1989 and became a huge success, as the album, G N’ R Lies.
This tune is one of the greatest acoustic ballads of Guns N’ Roses. Slash, Stradlin, and Duff McKagan all play the acoustic guitar here. The song opens and proceeds with a combination of different arpeggios every member plays.
More Than Words – Extreme
More Than Words is one of the most beautiful E-Flat songs out there! It is a great acoustic rock ballad from the famous band Extreme. The tune was released in 1991 and appeared on the band’s 2nd album, Pornograffitti.
This song has a great right-hand pattern that Nuno Bennencourt plays. The chords shift fastly, like the vocal melodies accordingly. It is a soft yet intermediate song and very inspirational.
The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana
The Man Who Sold The World is originally a David Bowie song. Yet so many know the tune by the version of the famous band Nirvana. It is an acoustic version released in 1993 and appeared on the band’s MTV Unplugged In New York album.
The tune has only 5 chords to play throughout the whole song and is composed in the key of C#m. There is a simple intro melody that Kurt Cobain is playing in every section and also an easy guitar solo.
The Man Who Sold The World Guitar Chords
If you want to check some more songs in an alternate tuning, check out my other article Top 40 Easy & Advanced Guitar Songs In Open G – Tabs Included
I Miss You – Blink-182
This song is probably Blink-182’s most famous and beautiful song ever. I Miss You was released in 2004 and appeared on the band’s album, Blink-182. The tune is considered an emo, alternative-rock song.
It is a great E-flat song to play. The same strumming pattern goes throughout the whole song. And there is a simple guitar riff sliding in the background.
Broken – Seether ft. Amy Lee
Seether collaborated with Amy Lee for their famous song Broken. You probably know Amy Lee from her band Evanescence. This song was released in 2004 and appeared in the Marvel movie The Punisher and the band’s album Disclaimer II.
The song opens with an acoustic arpeggio and then goes into more aggressive chord progressions with distortion and without distortion in certain parts. There is also a simple guitar solo.
Alone – Heart
Alone is originally an i-Ten song that was released in 1983. The band Heart recorded 1987 4 years later, this power ballad version of the song. It became a huge success for the band, and they ranked in the top 3 on the biggest charts.
The song begins with a piano melody that goes throughout the whole song. Then guitars come to the scene with rhythm chords with a powerful sound.
Here is another list of alternate tuning for you Top 50 Famous Guitar Songs In Open C Tuning – Tabs Included
Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Simple Man is probably the second famous song of Lynyrd Skynyrd, after Free Bird. This power ballad was released in 1973 on the band’s first album, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is a crowd! So there are different riffs, patterns, and melodies that guitars are playing throughout the whole song. The tune begins with clean arpeggios and then goes into these distorted powerful chords and riffs. And has great solos in it.
Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
Jailhouse Rock is one of the first famous songs by Elvis Presley. I can’t think of an Elvis without this song. The tune was released in 1957 and appeared on the same-titled EP of the legend.
Jailhouse Rock has only 4 chords to play: D#, E, A7, and B7. There is a bluesy swing picking pattern throughout the song, and a little guitar solo in between is very easy and fun to play.
All Along The Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
All Along The Watchtower is originally a beautiful Bob Dylan song released in 1967. But Jimi Hendrix’s version takes the song to another level. Hendrix released his interpretation next year. The tune appears on Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland album.
The song begins with powerful rhythm guitars and Hendrix doing a lead solo. Like he usually does, there are lead guitar solos between verses, and he plays his crazy chords and rhythms when he sings in the background.
All Along The Watchtower Guitar Tabs
Far Away – Nickelback
Far Away is probably the second most listened-to song of the Canadian band Nickelback. The song appeared on the band’s album, All the Right Reasons, in 2006. What a beautiful voice Chad Kroeger has!
This song is very easy to play. The acoustic guitar only plays various chords throughout the song and arpeggios between certain sections. There isn’t any guitar solo for this one.
I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner
This song is one of the best songs by Foreigner. It is a great power ballad and was released in 1984. I Want To Know What Love Is is the first single of the band’s album, Agent Provocateur.
Foreigner is a band of keyboards. The guitar parts of this tune are pretty simple, that’s why. It goes with simple chord progressions and a couple of easy licks.
I Want To Know What Love Is Guitar Chords
Reckless Love – Cory Asbury
Reckless Love is the most famous song by Cory Asbury. The song was released in 2017 and appeared on the same-titled album. The tune was awarded many times and became the top 3 in various charts.
It is a simple song that is played in E flat. There are only 4 chords to play: Em, D, C, and G. The whole song goes with easy chord transmissions and a classic strumming pattern.
One (Acoustic) – U2
One is the most-streamed song by the famous Irish band U2. It was originally released in 1992. It is a great song that Bono has written for the band.
Here is an acoustic version that is played in E flat. Set up a great acoustic tone to play this tune. There are only 5 chords for this one, which is very easy to play.
Your Man – Josh Turner
Your Man is a neotraditional country song and was released in 2005. It appears on the same-titled album by Josh Turner. It was a huge success for Turner and peaked at decent positions in country charts.
The song has simple and beautiful lead electric guitar parts in the background. It has only 5 chords to play as the rhythm guitar goes.
Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band is an amazing neo-country band. They can play fast and write very creative country songs. Chicken Fried is one of them. The tune was released in 2008 and appeared on their same-titled album.
The song consists of only 3 simple chords, but they strum and do licks brilliantly. It is a very easy song to play, and it sounds amazing.
Scars – Papa Roach
Scars are one of the great singles Papa Roach released in 2004. The tune appears on the album, Getting Away with Murder and peaked at good positions on various charts.
The song is played with a powerful distortion sound. It is composed in the key of B. It consists of a couple of barre chords and some open chords.
Push – Matchbox Twenty
Push is an alternative rock song by Matchbox Twenty. The tune was released in 1997 and appeared on the band’s Yourself or Someone Like You album.
The song begins with a beautiful chord progression played with a bright, jangly English electric guitar tone. Then proceeds with arpeggios. It became a bit more aggressive when it came to its end.
Through Glass – Stone Sour
Slipknot fans surely know this band because of the great vocals and songwriting of Corey Taylor. Through Glass was released in 2006 as an alternative post-grunge song published by Roadrunner Records.
The tune opens with simple arpeggios and then goes into rhythmic strumming patterns of the same chord progression with a clean guitar. It doesn’t have a guitar solo.
The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
The Boxer is one of the famous folk rock songs of Simon & Garfunkel. It was released in 1969 and appeared on their Bridge over Troubled Water album.
The studio recording is played in E flat tuning, but they play the song in various tuning setups in different concerts and versions. The tune is played with an acoustic guitar. A brilliant arpeggio is played throughout the whole song.
Nobela – Join The Club
Join The Club is an alternative rock band from Valenzuela, Philippines. Nobel is the band’s most famous work, released in 2005. They are like local legends in their country.
The tune has the classic alternative rock sound. There are powerful electric guitar rhythmic patterns throughout the song and also clean arpeggios in various sections.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Acoustic) – Nirvana
Where Did You Sleep Last Night is associated with Bill Monroe and Lead Belly, but its origins go back to the 1870s in the United States. The song is widely known and became popular through Nirvana’s unplugged version. It was performed in 1993 and then appeared on the album MTV Unplugged in New York.
The song, also known as In The Pines, or My Girl, consists of only 4 chords: E, A, G, and B. It is played with an acoustic guitar and has a simple strumming pattern. What makes a difference here is probably Kurt Cobain’s amazing vocals.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night Guitar Chords
Mama Said – Metallica
Mama Said is the only country rock ballad that Metallica has recorded, and I think it is a great song. The tune was released in 1996 and appeared on the band’s album, Load.
The song has an acoustic, country bluesy tone. Yet, it has the Metallica vibe but is country-infused. The song’s lap-steel guitar in the background keeps the country vibes alive. Before the song ends, it goes a bit more aggressive, and there comes a great guitar solo part.
Raining Blood – Slayer
Raining Blood is probably one of the most popular songs by Slayer. The legend song was released in 1986 and appeared on the band’s album Reign in Blood. Thrash Metal is unthinkable without this song for sure.
Raining Blood is a great song to play in a 1 half-down step tuning. It has very fast and diminished scale patterns. That is why it sounds so evil. It is played with an aggressive, distorted sound.
Nutshell – Alice in Chains
Nutshell is, I think, the most beautiful song ever written by Alice in Chains. It was released in 1994. There is also an MTV Unplugged version of this tune, which is not less great than the original.
The song has an acoustic guitar part played throughout the whole song and consists of a simple chord progression. There is also a simple lick that the electric guitar plays in various sections with gradual bending and a perfect tone. And the electric guitar plays an amazing lead solo in the last section of the tune.
Undone – The Sweater Song – Weezer
Weezer is a very creative band in its genre. This song has a classic alternative rock emo sound, but they play very genius stuff if you listen closely. Undone – The Sweater song was released in 1994, which they recorded in Electric Lady Studios. It appears on the band’s album, Weezer (The Blue Album)
This song is written brilliantly. It is both played with a clean and distorted electric guitar. There are various arpeggios that one guitar is playing the whole song. And the other guitar plays the rhythm part, which consists of a bunch of simple chords.
Undone The Sweater Song Guitar Tabs
Panama – Van Halen
Panama is one of the popular songs of the legendary 80s band Van Halen. It was released in 1984 and appeared on the band’s album 1984. It peaked at number two on the US Mainstream Rock chart in the same year.
This song has a unique Van Halen guitar sound. You’ll know it’s Van Halen playing when you hear it. The tune has aggressive guitar riffs throughout the whole song. It also includes a crazy guitar solo by Van Halen.
Always Be My Baby – David Cook
Always Be My Baby is originally a Mariah Carey song released in 1996. This song is a cover version, recorded and well performed by David Cook. He was the winner of the American Idol TV-Show in 2008.
The tune is played with an electric guitar and a bright tone that sounds similar to an acoustic guitar. It has simple strumming patterns and an easy-to-play chord progression.
Always Be My Baby Guitar Chords
Valerie – Amy Winehouse
Valerie originally belongs to an indie pop band called The Zutons. It was released in 2006. Later Amy and Mark Ronson made a cover version of the tune in 2007. It became a huge success for Amy Winehouse.
The guitars are very fun to play in this one. It needs a well reverbed bright guitar tone first. And then, the guitar plays funky rock rhythms combined with simple arpeggios in various sections.
Swing Life Away – Rise Against
Swing Life Away is a beautiful acoustic ballad. It was released in 2005 on the band’s Siren Song of the Counter Culture album. The critics wrote very positive things after they appeared on the charts.
It is played with an acoustic guitar and has only 4 chords to play: Cadd9, Em, G, and Dsus2. The whole song goes with the same strumming pattern. There is only a little arpeggio in the intro and at the tune’s end.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison
This song is one of the most famous power ballads from the 80s and one of my favorites. Every Rose Has Its Thorn was released in 1988 and appears on the band’s album Open Up And Say… Ahh!.
The song first opens up with an era’s classic acoustic ballad strumming. Then a couple of guitar licks and solos play a great role between sections.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn Guitar Chords
Pride And Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan always plays his guitar in E flat. Pride And Joy is one of his greatest recordings of all time. It was released in 1983 on his legendary album, Texas Flood.
The song follows a classic blues progression, but Stevie is doing magic stuff on it and takes it to another level. Stevie plays a long progression throughout the song and solos between verses and choruses.
A Tout Le Monde – Megadeth
This song is probably one of Megadeth’s most well-known and emotional songs ever. It was released in 1995 and became a big hit for the band.
A Tout Le Monde begins with an arpeggio progression. It becomes more aggressive later with more distorted sounds and deep guitar solos.
Across The Universe – The Beatles
Across The Universe is one of the unforgettable songs of The Beatles. It was released in 1969 on the band’s album No One’s Gonna Change Our World. However, they recorded a better version for their famous album Let It Be, played in E flat tuning.
Except for the intro guitar melody, the song goes with chord progressions after. Paul and John play it with electric guitars.
Across The Universe Guitar Chords
Many Of Horror – Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro is a great Scottish alternative rock band. This tune is one of their greatest. It was released in 2010 and appeared on the album, Only Revolutions.
The song begins with a beautiful guitar melody, and this melody plays throughout the whole song.
Minsan – Eraserheads
Eraserheads is an experimental rock band from the Philippines. They have been playing since 1989. They are like The Beatles of the Philippines.
Minsan is played with acoustic guitars and follows simple chord progressions. There is also a guitar solo in the middle of the song. It is like a bridge and takes it to another level.
Conclusion
As you see, various genres and musicians use E Flat Tuning when they compose and perform. Most legendary guitarists in music history used this setup to achieve greatness. So many big hits and famous songs that we all know are played in Half Step-Down tuning.
Some are cover versions played in this alternative tuning setup, and some are originally written in E Flat Tuning. I wish you a fun time playing them.
I hope this list finds you well and inspires you on your rock guitar journey. It includes various songs from different genres played in E Flat Tuning.
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