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Drop C tuning

Drop C tuning is C G C F A D, from the lowest string to the highest. Compared with standard: 6th string down two whole steps; the other 5 down a whole step. Tap a string to hear it.

Tap a string to hear its note, then tune yours to match.

About drop C

Drop C is D standard with the 6th string dropped one more whole step, to C: C G C F A D. It is drop D’s shape, a whole step lower.

It is a staple of metal and hard rock for its low, heavy riffs.

Drop C tuning notes

Each open string from the 1st, the thinnest, to the 6th, with the frequency a tuner looks for.

Drop C tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
1stD4293.66 HzDown a whole step from E
2ndA3220 HzDown a whole step from B
3rdF3174.61 HzDown a whole step from G
4thC3130.81 HzDown a whole step from D
5thG298 HzDown a whole step from A
6thC265.41 HzDown two whole steps from E

Every other note’s frequency is on the note frequency chart.

How to tune to drop C

Start in standard tuning and move only the strings that change, lowest first.

  1. Tune the 6th string down two whole steps, from E to C.
  2. Tune the 5th string down a whole step, from A to G.
  3. Tune the 4th string down a whole step, from D to C. It should match the open 6th string, an octave higher.
  4. Tune the 3rd string down a whole step, from G to F.
  5. Tune the 2nd string down a whole step, from B to A.
  6. Tune the 1st string down a whole step, from E to D.

To lower a string, go a little below its new note and come back up to it: a string tuned up to its note holds its pitch better.

To tune with your mic instead, in this tuning or another, use the guitar tuner.

Playing in drop C

The three lowest strings, C G C, make a power chord under one finger: open is C5, the 2nd fret D5, the 5th fret F5. Chords on the top five strings play as in D standard, a whole step below standard.

The fretboard in drop C

The note on every fret in this tuning. Tap one to hear it, or light up one note or a scale on the neck.

Frets

Tap any fret to hear its note.

Six steps to learning every note on the neck are on the guitar fretboard page.

Questions about drop C

What are the notes of drop C tuning?

C G C F A D, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: C2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4.

How do I tune my guitar to drop C tuning?

Start in standard tuning. Tune the 6th string down two whole steps, from E to C. Tune the 5th string down a whole step, from A to G. Tune the 4th string down a whole step, from D to C. It should match the open 6th string, an octave higher. Tune the 3rd string down a whole step, from G to F. Tune the 2nd string down a whole step, from B to A. Tune the 1st string down a whole step, from E to D. A tuner showing each note in the table makes it exact.

Do I need different strings for drop C tuning?

This low, standard strings feel loose and can buzz. A heavier set (11s or 12s, or a set sold for drop or baritone tunings) keeps them tight; the guitar may need its neck and intonation set up again.

More guitar tunings

Drop D tuning

D A D G B E

6th string down a whole step.

Drop B tuning

B F♯ B E G♯ C♯

6th string down two and a half steps; the other 5 down a step and a half.

Drop A tuning

A E A D F♯ B

6th string down three and a half steps; the other 5 down two and a half steps.

Standard tuning

E A D G B E

The tuning every other one is measured from.

All 14, side by side with how far each string moves, are on the guitar tunings page.

Play along in C minor

Open the free editor with a beat in C minor playing, then add your guitar part, a bass line or your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Start a beatAll guitar tunings

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