Drop C Tuning

One of the most common guitar configurations out there is the drop C tuning. However, while many guitarists know that this tuning is popular, not many are aware of useful it can be in their repertoire.

The six strings on the basic guitar are generally tuned to what is known as standard tuning. In this tuning, the thickest string is tuned to E, the next thickest is tuned to A, the next thickest is tuned to D, the third thinnest is tuned to G, the second thinnest is tuned to B and the thinnest is tuned to E.

One of the most versatile uses of standard tuning is that, because it is so well known, many songs and popular tunes have been written for it. However, this tuning doesn't make certain elements (like power and barre chords) easy. That's why 'drop' tunings were invented. The drop C tuning also provides a heavier sound with a more full-bodied bottom line. Many popular rock, metal and alternative songs are written in a drop C or a drop D tuning.

There are six steps to setting your guitar to drop C. Each step involves tuning a different string. Instead of standard tuning, the guitar should be set to the following tuning: tune your thickest string to C, your second thickest string to G, your third thickest string to C, your third thinnest string to F, your second thinnest string to A and your thinnest string to D.

Once each of these strings has been tuned, it is important to make sure that the guitar sounds good. Some guitarists will do this by tuning each string in relation to the other stings on the guitar, while others choose to use a tuner. However you choose to go about this, once you have set up a drop C tuning, you can easily switch to a drop D tuning.

For those who don't want to go through the difficulty that tuning a guitar can sometimes be, there is an easy way to switch to and from drop C.

1. When in standard tuning, play an C note on the third string of the guitar. Tune the thick E string to match this note.
2. Once you have tuned this string, place your finger on the 7th fret and play. Now, tune the A string (the string right next to the thick E string) to match it.
3. Once you have tuned the above string, put your finger on the 5th fret and play. Tune the D string until it matches.
4. Once you have tuned the above string, put your finger on the 5th fret and tune the G string until it matches.
5. Once you have tuned the above string, put your finger on the 4th fret and tune the B string until it matches.
6. Once you have tuned the above string, put your finger on the 5th fret and tune the E string until it matches.
7. Finally, tune the thin E string to D.

Once these steps have been completed, your guitar will be in drop C.

New tunings can be fun and exciting. You can make good use of your new tuning by:

• Experimenting. See what playing in drop C can do that standard tuning cannot do.
• Play with power chords, and see how well a drop C setup facilitates playing them.
• Pick up a few of your favorite hard rock or heavy metal guitar tabs and rock out.

Many guitarists choose to not play around much with different tuning as they find tuning the guitar to be tedious. While it can sometimes be a burden, fiddling with tunings can be a rewarding experience. It can also help to shed light on different variations of music that may not have been possible for a guitarist in standard tuning.

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