Drop C tuning: C G C F A D
Free online tuner, set to C G C F A D — press Start tuner and play a string
Rate this tool
4.2 (6)What Drop C tuning is for
Drop C is drop D moved down a whole step: tune the whole guitar to D standard, then drop the sixth string a further whole step to C. The bottom three strings make a one-finger power chord, as in drop D, but everything sits two semitones lower. It is a staple of heavy rock and metal, and it works best with a heavier set of strings, since the low C goes slack on light gauges.
Press Start tuner above, allow the microphone and play one open string at a time. The tuner is already set to Drop C, so in Auto mode it picks the nearest string and shows how many cents sharp or flat it is; switch to Manual to aim at one string. Bring each string up to the note from below, which helps it hold.
The strings: C G C F A D
Thickest string first, with the frequency at the standard A = 440 Hz. Each note opens the tuning drone on that pitch, for tuning by ear.
| String | Note | Frequency | From standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | C2 | 65.41 Hz | down two whole steps (4 frets) from E2 |
| 5th | G2 | 98.00 Hz | down a whole step (2 frets) from A2 |
| 4th | C3 | 130.81 Hz | down a whole step (2 frets) from D3 |
| 3rd | F3 | 174.61 Hz | down a whole step (2 frets) from G3 |
| 2nd | A3 | 220.00 Hz | down a whole step (2 frets) from B3 |
| 1st | D4 | 293.66 Hz | down a whole step (2 frets) from E4 |
How to get there from standard tuning
- Tune the 6th string down two whole steps (4 frets), from E2 to C2.
- Tune the 5th string down a whole step (2 frets), from A2 to G2.
- Tune the 4th string down a whole step (2 frets), from D3 to C3.
- Tune the 3rd string down a whole step (2 frets), from G3 to F3.
- Tune the 2nd string down a whole step (2 frets), from B3 to A3.
- Tune the 1st string down a whole step (2 frets), from E4 to D4.
Check it by ear
Once one string is right, each neighbouring string can be checked against it — the beating between the two notes slows and stops when they agree.
- Press the 6th string (C2) at the 7th fret: it should match the open 5th string (G2).
- Press the 5th string (G2) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 4th string (C3).
- Press the 4th string (C3) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 3rd string (F3).
- Press the 3rd string (F3) at the 4th fret: it should match the open 2nd string (A3).
- Press the 2nd string (A3) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 1st string (D4).
Songs in Drop C tuning
Well-known recordings in this tuning. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- Chop Suey! — System of a Down
- Toxicity — System of a Down
More about Drop C tuning
View scores on MuseScore
What musicians say
- 5★4
- 4★1
- 3★0
- 2★0
- 1★1
Cool, though basic
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of Drop C tuning?
- From the thickest string to the thinnest: C2 (6th), G2 (5th), C3 (4th), F3 (3rd), A3 (2nd), D4 (1st). At A = 440 Hz that is C2 65.41 Hz, G2 98.00 Hz, C3 130.81 Hz, F3 174.61 Hz, A3 220.00 Hz, D4 293.66 Hz.
- How do I tune to Drop C tuning from standard?
- Tune the 6th string down two whole steps (4 frets), from E2 to C2. Tune the 5th string down a whole step (2 frets), from A2 to G2. Tune the 4th string down a whole step (2 frets), from D3 to C3. Tune the 3rd string down a whole step (2 frets), from G3 to F3. Tune the 2nd string down a whole step (2 frets), from B3 to A3. Tune the 1st string down a whole step (2 frets), from E4 to D4. Use the tuner above, set to Drop C, or check by ear with the fret method on this page.
- Can I use a chromatic tuner for Drop C tuning?
- Yes. A chromatic tuner reads any note, so aim each string at C G C F A D in turn. This tuner has a Drop C preset, so it shows the target for each string and picks the nearest one for you.
- What songs use Drop C tuning?
- “Chop Suey!” by System of a Down, “Toxicity” by System of a Down are well-known examples. Each title on this page opens its sheet music on MuseScore.