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Do you ever feel like your guitar is not competing enough with the low notes of the bass? Maybe you’re chugging along to a groovy rhythm but feel like you’re restricted by the low range of your guitar. In that case, you might want to give drop tunings a try!
Many guitarists, especially in the heavy metal genre, choose to experiment with alternate tunings for a deeper sound and a heavier tone. One such tuning is drop C tuning, which allows you to play many modern metal songs. Let’s see how low you can go with today’s lesson in drop tunings for the guitar!
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Alternate tunings for the guitar
An alternate tuning refers to a deviation from the standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). These alternate tunings may come in handy when you want to create a specific sound by tuning the strings to a lower pitch.
Drop tunings are one such type of alternate tuning. Drop tuning means you tune the thickest string (more commonly known as the low E-string) to a lower pitch in relation to the other five strings. For example, the only difference between drop D tuning and standard tuning is the low E-string, which is tuned a full step down to D instead of E.
To learn more about drop tunings, open tunings, and more, check out our comprehensive guide to alternate guitar tunings.
How to tune your guitar to drop C
Compared to drop D tuning (which is the standard tuning with the low E-string tuned down a whole step), drop C tuning takes things a bit further – or should we say lower. In drop C tuning, all strings are a whole step lower than in drop D, meaning that the low E-string is two whole steps lower compared to standard tuning!
When starting from standard tuning, we tune down from EADGBE to CGCFAD. In other words, you can get to drop C in two ways: either by starting with the standard tuning and bringing all strings down a full step and an additional step down for the sixth string, or by using drop D as your starting point and tuning everything down a full step.
And there you have drop C, or CGCFAD, tuning!
The easiest way to tune your guitar to drop C is with the help of a guitar tuner app that’s always with you in your pocket. GuitarTuna Pro comes with a tuner for drop C, drop D, and so much more for the guitar and other instruments. And it’s not just a tuner: GuitarTuna comes with the chords and lyrics to your favorite songs. Download GuitarTuna for free for your iOS and Android devices!
Why should you use drop C guitar tuning?
- Heavier sound: Many heavier rock, punk, and metal bands prefer to use drop C tuning, as it complements the dark and aggressive sound of their music and their fast-paced playing. Make sure to add enough distortion to emphasize the heaviness.
- Simple power chords: Power chords become much easier to play with drop C tuning. You can play them with just your index finger, also known as “barring” the strings.
- Extended range on the low E-string: What makes drop C tuning (and other drop tunings, for that matter) ideal for heavier genres is that it allows you to go two full steps lower. Just strum the three lowest strings open after tuning to drop C, and listen to how cool it sounds!
- Fast chord transitions: When playing power chords using drop C, moving from one chord to another is a piece of cake. You often don’t need to worry about changing the chord shape to play an impressively heavy riff.
Downtuning the low E-string to play power chords
Barre chords are the stuff of nightmares for many beginner guitarists (and let’s be honest, some experienced players, too). This is because barre chords require you to “barre” multiple strings on the same fret with just one finger. By combining a drop tuning, like drop C or drop D, with power chords, you can make things much simpler!
With drop tuning, playing power chords is easier. All you have to do is lay your finger on three or two strings to create the chord shape. Move your fretting finger to a new position to transition to a new chord. Playing the two or three lowest strings open is also a chord often used by many modern metal bands.
So what are power chords, then? Major and minor chords that you might already be familiar with consist of a root note, major third, and perfect fifth. Power chords, on the other hand, lack the third, which gives a chord its major or minor quality. You can play power chords with just two notes. Many guitarists throw in a third note, which is the root, just an octave higher.
How do you adjust your strings and guitar for drop C tuning?
After tuning down to drop C, you might notice your strings buzzing or loosening as you play. This is because there is less tension in the strings due to the lower tuning. If your guitar strings are not specifically made for lower tunings, drop tunings can cause some difficulties, especially with your low E-string.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to combat this. Consider investing in thicker strings specifically made for lower tunings and heavier music genres. For instance, you can find special sets of guitar strings where the low E-string is notably thicker than the rest. Thicker strings can make a difference when trying your hand with drop tunings, but be warned: the heavier gauge of these special strings can be harsh on your fingers!
Another way to combat the looseness of your strings is by adjusting the guitar bridge. Adjusting the bridge changes the action, which is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. This way, the strings won’t bang all over the place and produce unwanted buzz.
With heavier strings, you’ll also need to use a thicker guitar pick and a more forceful, aggressive picking technique. To read more, check out our full guide to guitar picks!
Songs and artists using the drop C tuning
To hear how things are done in drop C, listen to some of the best-known modern bands in the heavy metal genre and its many subgenres. Not all bands in this style use drop C tuning, as many opt for drop D, standard guitar tuning, or something entirely different!
Here are a few examples of drop C in action. Try yourself if you dare!
- “Chop Suey!”, made famous by System of a Down
- “Down with the Sickness”, made famous by Disturbed
- “Bat Country”, made famous by Avenged Sevenfold
- “My Curse”, made famous by Killswitch Engage
- “Change (In The House Of Flies)”, made famous by Deftones
As you listen to these songs, you might find them quite challenging. Tuning down to drop C is definitely an advanced technique. Luckily, you can play songs in drop D tuning, even as a beginner. In fact, many power chords can be much easier to play in drop D than in standard guitar tuning!
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