Led Zeppelin was a band that did not shy away from experimenting with their sound. Throw on any Zeppelin album and you’ll hear a mix of heavy and loud songs mixed with soft and delicate acoustic tracks that fuse rock, blues, and folk, into a unique blend.

One of the reasons Zeppelin stands out from the rest of the crowd is because Jimmy Page, the band’s de facto leader, spearheaded exploration into other genres, drawing inspiration from music around the world. While vocalist Robert Plant would incorporate a variety of subjects lyrically, most often these influences could be heard in the alternate tunings Page would adopt for his guitar.

Most songs in popular music feature guitars that are in standard tuning, with the low to the high strings tuned to the following pitches: E-A-D-G-B-E. Any deviation from those notes is considered an alternate tuning. This opens up a lot of possibilities to create new sounds and voicings for the guitar by changing all or some of those string tunings. Page would consistently delve into an array of tunings for at least a few tracks on every album, creating interesting sonic flavors that help make so many Zeppelin tracks unique and memorable.

Here are six of the best uses of Led Zeppelin alternate guitar tunings!

Ten Years Gone

Drop D Tuning (D-A-D-G-B-E)

Drop D tuning only involves tuning the low E string down to D, adding a little depth and heft to the guitar. This tuning is nothing unusual nowadays, especially as it became widely popularized by rock bands in the ’80s and ’90s, and certainly by many metal acts. But here is where Page helped to pioneer the tuning.

Kashmir

Celtic Tuning (D-A-D-G-A-D)

This tuning creates cool droning notes that hang as Page plays those iconic riffs. While Page uses the tuning here to powerful effect, he also uses it in a radically different style on one of his folk-influenced compositions, “Black Mountain Side,” which he often played live as a medley with his Yardbirds tune, “White Summer,” in the early and later Zeppelin tours.

Friends

Open C6 Tuning (C-A-C-G-C-E)

Similar to “Kashmir,” this tuning allows Page to let notes ring throughout the track, which is inspired by the music of India. Page and Plant famously re-recorded the song in 1972 with local musicians in Bombay, adding instruments like sitars and tablas. Page also uses this tuning for “Bron-Y-Aur” and “Poor Tom.”

Going to California

Open G Tuning (D-G-D-G-B-E)

Page’s Open G tuning creates an entrancing interplay with John Paul Jones, who abandons his bass for a mandolin on this track. A handful of other Zeppelin tracks, including “That’s The Way” and “Black Country Woman,” are also in Open G tuning.

When The Levee Breaks

Open F Tuning (F-A-C-F-A-C)

Arguably, with this song the tuning on the low strings doesn’t even matter, as Page plays the whole song on just the top four strings. Page grabs the slide for this one, matching Plant’s wails while Jones and drummer John Bonham pound away the rhythm.

The Rain Song

Open Gsus Tuning (D-G-C-G-C-D)

I saved the best for last. This song is gorgeousness and gorgeousity. While this is a Zeppelin list, I feel the Page & Plant acoustic rendition they performed for their “UnLedded” MTV reunion special best captures the incredible sound of the tuning. Listen as every note sweetly pours out of Page’s guitar.