Open C tuning: C G C G C E
Free online tuner, set to C G C G C E — press Start tuner and play a string
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4.2 (6)What open C tuning is for
Open C tunes the guitar to a wide C major chord with a deep low C: C G C G C E. The bottom strings are lowered a long way (the sixth by two whole steps), which gives fingerstyle arrangements a resonant, piano-like bass. It needs heavier strings or a careful touch on the low C, which goes slack on a light set.
Press Start tuner above, allow the microphone and play one open string at a time. The tuner is already set to open 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 G C E
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.
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 2nd string up a half step (1 fret), from B3 to C4.
- Leave the 3rd and 1st strings as in standard guitar tuning.
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 7th fret: it should match the open 3rd string (G3).
- Press the 3rd string (G3) at the 5th fret: it should match the open 2nd string (C4).
- Press the 2nd string (C4) at the 4th fret: it should match the open 1st string (E4).
More about open C tuning
What musicians say
- 5★4
- 4★1
- 3★0
- 2★0
- 1★1
Cool, though basic
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of open C tuning?
- From the thickest string to the thinnest: C2 (6th), G2 (5th), C3 (4th), G3 (3rd), C4 (2nd), E4 (1st). At A = 440 Hz that is C2 65.41 Hz, G2 98.00 Hz, C3 130.81 Hz, G3 196.00 Hz, C4 261.63 Hz, E4 329.63 Hz.
- How do I tune to open 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 2nd string up a half step (1 fret), from B3 to C4. Leave the 3rd and 1st strings as in standard guitar tuning. Use the tuner above, set to open C, or check by ear with the fret method on this page.
- Can I use a chromatic tuner for open C tuning?
- Yes. A chromatic tuner reads any note, so aim each string at C G C G C E in turn. This tuner has a open C preset, so it shows the target for each string and picks the nearest one for you.