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.

C6th (low)
G5th
C4th
F3rd
A2nd
D1st (high)
🎤 Tune your guitar now — free online tuner (uses your mic) →

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

Artists who use Drop C

🥁 Practice it
Metronome →
🎼 Scales
Scale finder →
🎸 Tones
Browse all tones →
🎛️ Dial in a great tone in this tuning — free →

Drop C tuning — FAQ

What are the string notes for Drop C tuning?

Drop C tuning is, from the low (6th) string to the high (1st) string, C G C F A D.

How do I tune my guitar to Drop C?

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

What songs use Drop C tuning?

Popular songs in Drop C tuning include Can You Feel My Heart by Bring Me the Horizon, B.Y.O.B. by System of a Down, Speaking With a Ghost by Citizen, Throne by Bring Me the Horizon.

What artists use Drop C tuning?

Artists who use Drop C tuning include System of a Down, Deftones, Gojira.

What is Drop C tuning good for?

A whole step below Drop D — thick, chuggy and standard for metalcore/djent.

More tunings: see all 19 tunings · standard tuning chart

GuitarToneAdapt · free guitar tuner, tunings and researched tones. guitartoneadapt.com