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Drop C Tuning on Guitar: Notes and Chords
- Authors
- Name
- Rizan Bhandari
- @rizan
System of a Down and Killswitch Engage were what led me to Drop C many many years ago. Here's a short post to get you started.
Drop C is C G C F A D. I see it as Drop D (D G C F A D) but with a lower sixth string.
How to tune to Drop C
From standard E A D G B E, drop low E to C and rest of the strings one whole step:
| String | Standard | Drop C |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | E | C |
| 5 | A | G |
| 4 | D | C |
| 3 | G | F |
| 2 | B | A |
| 1 | E | D |
If you have a chromatic tuner, you just tune in that order. If you don't, you can tune down a whole step to Drop D ( D G C F A D), then lower the low D to C.
You'll have to tune again in a while because strings need some time to settle.
What you hear open
If you just play the lowest three strings, you get a C5 - C power chord. That is C G C. There's no third.
Easy power chords in Drop C
Barre the above shape down the strings and you get more power chords. Mute the top three strings.
C5
Moved up to 2nd fret gives you D5.
D5
4fr above
F5
G5 (one finger)
Barre at the 7th fret.
6fr above
G5
Fretboard in Drop C
String gauge and setup
The low C can buzz with standard gauge.
- Use 11-52 or 12-56 sets
- Or go heavier on the low string only
You may want to adjust action if you're going to keep a guitar just in Drop C.
How to use Drop C
Riffs: Palm mute, phrasing on low three strings.
Fingerstyle: You can use the open C as a drone.
vs a 7-string: When you play a 7-string, you get an extra string (duh) but you also get more on the low range. With drop C, you can get those lows.
Drop C vs Drop D vs Standard
| Standard | Drop D | Drop C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| low string | E | D | C |
| power chords with one finger? | No (on low 3) | Yes | Yes |
| pitch | Reference | Slightly lower | Much lower |
| learning curve | - | Easy from standard | Easy from Drop D |
| use | Everything | Rock, some metal | modern metal, metalcore, heavy rock |
Songs and bands that use Drop C
| Artist | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Killswitch Engage | My Curse | Classic metalcore |
| System of a Down | Many tracks | Fast power-chords |
| Bullet for My Valentine | Tears Don't Fall (era) | Melodic metal, low |
| Trivium | Several albums | Riffy |
| Machine Head | some songs | Low C as anchor |
| Bring Me the Horizon | Early metalcore | Breakdowns |
FAQs
What is Drop C tuning?
Drop C is C G C F A D from low to high. The low C is heavy and sick.
How do I tune to Drop C?
Tune everything down a whole step to D standard (D G C F A D), then drop the lowest string from D to C.
What is the difference between Drop C and Drop D?
Drop D is D A D G B E - its standard tuning with just the low E string tuned a whole step down. Drop C is C G C F A D.
Why use Drop C?
Lower pitch, one-finger power chords on the bottom three strings, common in metal and metalcore.
Do I need heavier strings for Drop C?
Standard gauges feel floppy and can buzz. I use heavier ones; many players use something around 11-52 or 12-56.
What songs use Drop C?
Many examples, like Killswitch Engage (My Curse), System of a Down, Bullet for My Valentine, Trivium, and a lot of modern metalcore.