Radiohead, and Thom in particular, have always been fans of alternate tunings for their guitars. Thom frequently uses open tunings, while Jonny has a fondness for de-tuning only one or two strings for a particular song. Drop tunings are often employed  by all of the band’s guitarists, and capos make occasional appearances as well, occasionally combined with alternate tunings. These alternate tunings do not simply make the guitar easier to play, but allow for guitars parts that would be impossible in standard tuning. This is a list of the songs on which alternative tunings are used, and the identities of those alternative tunings.

The first initial of each band member’s name is given to indicate that they use a listed tuning: T for Thom, J for Jonny, and E for Ed.

Pablo Honey

Stop Whispering - Drop-D \ T

Vegetable - Eb-Standard \ T

I Can’t - EADGBB \ T

The Bends

Nice Dream - EADGAE \ T

My Iron Lung - EGDGBEb \ J

Street Spirit - Capo 12 \ J

Lozenge of Love - DADGBE \ T

Permanent Daylight - DGBGBD \ T

OK Computer

Airbag - EADGAE \ T

Exit Music (For A Film) - Capo 2 \ T

Let Down - Capo 7 \ E

Electioneering - DADGBD \ T J E

No Surprises - Capo 3 \ T
No Surprises - Capo 15 \ E

The Tourist - EAEGBE \ J

Kid A

The National Anthem - Drop D \ T (live in 2012, at least)

How To Disappear - Capo 2 | T

Optimistic - Drop D(?) OR DADGBD(?) \ T
Optimistic - DADA#CD \ J (live)

Amnesiac

I Might Be Wrong - Drop D \ T J

Hail To The Thief

2+2=5 - Drop D \ T J E

There There - DBDGBE \ T

Myxomatosis - BF#B \ E (live in 2012 only)

In Rainbows

Bodysnatchers - Drop D \ T J E

Nude - EAEGBE \ J

House of Cards - Drop D Capo 3 \ T

Jigsaw Falling Into Place - DADF#BE \ T J

Bangers And Mash - AADGBE (the low E-string A is an octave below the A-string) \ J

The King of Limbs

Morning Mr Magpie - CGCFCE \ T

Little By Little - DADGAD \ T

Codex - EADABD \ E

Give Up The Ghost - Drop D \ T

Separator - EAEGBE Capo 6 \ T J

A Moon Shaped Pool

Desert Island Disk - DADGAD Capo 5 \ T

Ful Stop - EGDGBE with 2-Fret Capo 12 (on the high B and E strings) \ J

The Numbers - CGCFAD \ T (live version)
The Numbers - CGCFAD \ T J (music video)

B-Sides/Unreleased

These Are My Twisted Words - CGCGBE \ T J(?) E

Follow Me Around - Drop D Capo 1 \ T

The Eraser/Atoms for Peace

Black Swan - DADGAD \ T

Harrowdown Hill - DADGBD \ T

Judge Jury and Executioner - DADGAD \ T

AMOK - DADGAD Capo 8 \ T

Plank’s setlist for a solo show in ~2010 (Plank is Thom’s guitar technician).

Ed’s guitar technician’s setlist for Radiohead’s show in Houston on March 4, 2012. T=Telecaster. JAG=Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar. 335=Gibson ES-335.12=Jetglo Rickenbacker 360/12. F=Fernandes Native Pro. ST1=Stratocaster#1 (Ed’s original “Sustainer” Strat, a Clapton Signature modified with a Fernandes sustainer system). Tamb=Tambourine.

Plank’s setlist for Radiohead’s show in Seattle on April 9, 2012 (Plank is Thom’s guitar technician).

Plank’s setlist for Radiohead’s show in Paris on October 11, 2012 (Plank is Thom’s guitar technician).

Plank’s setlist for Radiohead’s show in Toronto on July 19, 2018 (Plank is Thom’s guitar technician).