Drop C tuning explained

Drop C tuning is an alternative guitar tuning where at least one string has been lowered to a C, but most commonly refers to CGCFAD, which can be described as D tuning with a 6th string dropped to C, or drop D tuning transposed down a whole step. Because of its heavier tone, it is most commonly used in rock and heavy metal music.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Variations

• CGDGBE – Dropping the low E string to a C, and the A string to a G, to make a fifth chord. The rest of the strings remain the same.^[5]
• CADGBE – This is achieved by taking standard tuning (EADGBE), and dropping the low E to a C. All other strings remain in standard tuning.^[6]

Artists that have used CGCFAD

• A Day To Remember (on most songs, they occasionally use Drop B and A#) ^[7]
• Alter Bridge (on some songs such as "Isolation")^[8]
• Arch/Matheos^[9]
• Black Stone Cherry^{[10] [11]}
• Chimaira^[12] (on most songs after their first album)
• Dååth^[13]
• Dope^[14]
• Escape the Fate^[15]
• Heaven & Hell (on "Follow the Tears")
• King's X^[16] (most later material and live performances, also used on some songs since Dogman)
• Metallica (on the majority of songs in the "St. Anger" album)^[17]
• Nickelback (on some songs) ^{[18] [19]}
• Skillet (on "Monster")
• System of a Down^[20]
• Theory of a Deadman^[21]
• Triggerfinger^[22]
• Wintersun^[23] (on some songs)

Artists that have used CADGBE

• Bob Dylan – predominantly in the period 1965-1966.^[24]
• John Mayer – on the song "Neon".^{[25] [26]}
• Muse – on the songs "Map Of The Problematique"^{[26] [27]} & "Dead Inside"
• Brad Richter – on the piece "Flirtation"^[28]
• The Tallest Man on Earth – on the song "The Sparrow and the Medicine".^[29]

Artists that have used CGDGBE

• Keola Beamer^[30]
• Richard Thompson^{[31] [32]}
• Soundgarden^[33]

Notes and References

1. News: Aledort . Andy . Atreyu: Prior Convictions . 23 November 2011 . . 7 April 2010 . ...drop C tuning, which is like drop D but with all of the strings down a whole step [low to high: C G C F A D]. Drop C sounds a little more brutal. Because of its deeper, heavier sound, it is commonly used in metal..
2. Book: Perry, Megan . Wired: musicians' home studios : tools & techniques of the musical mavericks . . 978-0-87930-794-3 . 24 November 2011 . 79 . November 2004 .
3. Book: Hot Licks . 1989 . . 978-0-88188-910-9 . Guitar Player Magazine . Jim Hatlo . 24 November 2011 . 101 . Guitar Player Magazine .
4. http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/electric-guitar-repairs/altered_tuning_setup.html Guitar Setup for Drop C Tuning
5. Book: The Pro Guitarist's Handbook: Tips and Tools to Survive as a Working Rock Guitarist, Book & CD. 9780739011249. Lidel. Paul. July 2001.
6. Book: Hodge, David . The Complete Idiot's Guide to Guitar . illustrated . Alpha Books . 2010 . 978-1-61564-021-8.
7. Web site: 13 January 2014 . A Day To Remember Keep in Touch with Their Devoted Fan Base on the Road and on Their New Album, 'Common Courtesy' . 2 August 2024.
8. Web site: Freed. Nick. Album Review: Alter Bridge – AB III. Consequence of Sound. 20 December 2010 . 24 November 2011.
9. Web site: Jim comments briefly on the tunings used on Sympathetic Resonance. Michael Kizer. Jim comments briefly on the tunings used on Sympathetic Resonance. Jim Matheos. https://web.archive.org/web/20140604135545/http://www.fateswarning.com/Forum/tabid/269/aft/102/Default.aspx . 2014-06-04 . 21 October 2011 . live . 4 June 2014.
10. Web site: Rig Rundown - Black Stone Cherry's Chris Robertson. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/qr3kYbmKnPE . 2021-12-13 . live. All Axess. 13 July 2012.
11. Web site: Rig Rundown - Black Stone Cherry's Ben Wells. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/q-Ofz27EP0Y . 2021-12-13 . live. All Axess. 13 July 2012.
12. Web site: Rob Arnold of Chimaira – Guitar Rig and Gear Setup – 2009. GuitarGeek. 12 December 2013. 17 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151017074733/http://www.guitargeek.com/rob-arnold-chimaira-guitar-rig-and-gear-setup-2009/. dead.
13. Web site: Emil. Werstler. Emil from Daath Talks Guitars. Roadrunner News. Roadrunner Records. 24 November 2011. 7 August 2008.
14. Book: Guitar World Presents Nu-Metal. Hal Leonard Corporation. 978-0-634-03287-5. registration. dropped c guitar.. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. Jeff Kitts . Brad Tolinski . Brad Tolinski . 24 November 2011. 132. 1 April 2002. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation.
15. Web site: Bryan Monte Money of Escape The Fate – Guitar Rig and Gear Setup – 2008. GuitarGeek. 12 December 2013.
16. Web site: Ty Tabor of King's X – Guitar Rig and Gear Setup – 2008. GuitarGeek. 12 December 2013.
17. Web site: 2021-05-06 . Metallica Guitar Tunings Over The Years: The Complete, In-Depth Guide! . 2024-05-30 . en-US.
18. Web site: Rig Rundown - Nickelback's Chad Kroeger & Ryan Peake. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ZOQbaO1r9Ms . 2021-12-13 . live. Premier Guitar. 13 July 2012.
19. Web site: Nickelback Equipment. 13 May 2014. ...(Drop D One Whole Step Down CGCFAD, Drop C CADGBE and Drop B BADGBE). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100520095626/http://nickelbackequipment.webs.com/thebandsgearandmore.htm. 20 May 2010. dmy-all.
20. Web site: System of a Down Amp Settings & Gear – Daron Malakian Tone. Liam Plowman. April 10, 2023. |
21. Web site: Backstage with Theory of a Deadman HQ(Guitar Edge.com). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/p5emv7lan0k . 2021-12-13 . live. Guitar Edge. 13 July 2012.
22. Web site: Ruben Block gear. Blues Online. Adriaensen. Wouter. 13 May 2014. Ruben also plays ... a Melody Maker in CGCFAD tuning - which is dropped D tuning one full tone down....
23. Web site: Rigged: Wintersun. 30 July 2013 . MetalSucks.net. 12 December 2013.
24. Web site: Roadmaps for the Soul. dylanchords.info. 8 May 2014. 9 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141009174634/http://dylanchords.info/roadmaps.htm. dead.
25. Web site: CADGBE Guitar Tuner. gtdb.org. 8 May 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140606075406/http://www.gtdb.org/tuner/cadgbe/. 6 June 2014. dmy-all.
26. Web site: The Uses of Drop D and Drop C Tunings Today. 16 September 2011. 14 May 2014.
27. Web site: Muse - Black Holes and Revelations. 31 July 2006. Delany. Ross. 14 May 2014.
28. Book: Richter, Brad. Brad Richter, Solo Guitar Collection. Mel Bay Publications. 978-0-7866-6744-4. 24 November 2011. 6. 3 October 2005.
29. Web site: The Tallest Man On Earth - Sparrow And The Medicine (Guitar Pro). tabs.ultimate-guitar.com. en. 2019-03-04.
30. Web site: A Brief History of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar. Dancing Cat Records. 13 May 2014. ... C-G-D-G-B-E Tuning (often called "Keola's C", because it has been used most prominently by Slack Key guitarist Keola Beamer).
31. Web site: Q&A re: Gear and Tunings. richardthompson-music.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140514112419/http://archive.richardthompson-music.com/QAgeartunings.asp. 14 May 2014. 13 May 2014. dead.
32. Web site: Richard Thompson. Little. Guy. 29 December 2013. Acoustic Magazine. 13 May 2014. My main tunings are: drop D, DADGAD and CGDGBE….
33. Web site: Alone in the Superunknown. Rotondi. James. June 1994. Guitar Player. 13 May 2014.