Drop C Tuning

A whole step below Drop D — thick, chuggy and standard for metalcore/djent. Low to high: C G C F A D.

How to tune to Drop C

1. Start in standard tuning.
2. Tune all six strings down a whole step (to D G C F A D).
3. Then drop the lowest string one more whole step, from D to C.
4. Result: C G C F A D — a staple of modern metal and metalcore.

Famous songs in Drop C

• Holy Roller — Spiritbox · get the tone →
• Throne — Bring Me the Horizon · get the tone →
• Chop Suey — System of a Down · get the tone →

More tunings: see all 12 tunings · standard tuning chart