Drop C# Tuning

Mic off

Drop C# C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

Detect string

A4 calibration

440Hz
  • Space Start / stop
  • 1-6 Play a string
  • A Auto detect

Drop C# is Drop D tuned a half step lower: C# G# C# F# A# D# from low to high. It sits right between Drop D and Drop C.

What is drop C# tuning?

Tune every string down a half step (Eb standard), then drop the 6th string a further whole step. The bottom three strings are C#, G# and C#, so power chords are still a single finger across three strings.

Many heavy rock and metal guitarists use Drop C# because it is heavier than Drop D but keeps a bit more string tension than Drop C.

Drop C# tuning notes

Drop C# from the thickest string to the thinnest is C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
6th (thickest)C♯269.30 Hz
5thG♯2103.83 Hz
4thC♯3138.59 Hz
3rdF♯3185.00 Hz
2ndA♯3233.08 Hz
1st (thinnest)D♯4311.13 Hz

How to tune to Drop C#

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and change 6 strings:

  1. Lower the 6th string (E) a step and a half to C#.
  2. Lower the 5th string (A) a half step to G#.
  3. Lower the 4th string (D) a half step to C#.
  4. Lower the 3rd string (G) a half step to F#.
  5. Lower the 2nd string (B) a half step to A#.
  6. Lower the 1st string (E) a half step to D#.

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to Drop C#. Press the mic button, play each open string and let it ring, then turn the tuning peg until the string lights up green. When you lower a string, go a little below the note and tune back up to it so it stays in tune.

Why guitarists use Drop C#

  • Heavier than Drop D, tighter than Drop C.
  • The same one-finger power chord shapes as any drop tuning.
  • Works with a standard or slightly heavier set of strings.

Other guitar tunings

Drop DD A D G B E Half step downE♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ D standardD G C F A D Drop CC G C F A D Drop BB F♯ B E G♯ C♯ DADGADD A D G A D Open GD G D G B D Open DD A D F♯ A D Open EE B E G♯ B E Open CC G C G C E 7-string standardB E A D G B E 7-string Drop AA E A D G B E 8-string standardF♯ B E A D G B E 9-string standardC♯ F♯ B E A D G B E

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Drop C# tuning FAQ

How do I tune to drop C# tuning?

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E). Lower the 6th string (E) a step and a half to C#. Lower the 5th string (A) a half step to G#. Lower the 4th string (D) a half step to C#. Lower the 3rd string (G) a half step to F#. Lower the 2nd string (B) a half step to A#. Lower the 1st string (E) a half step to D#. The tuner on this page is already set to Drop C#, so play each string and turn it until it lights up green.

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Raise the 6th string from C# back to E. Raise the 5th string from G# back to A. Raise the 4th string from C# back to D. Raise the 3rd string from F# back to G. Raise the 2nd string from A# back to B. Raise the 1st string from D# back to E. Or pick Standard under the tuner and tune each string until it turns green.

Is Drop C# the same as Drop Db?

Yes. C# and Db are the same note, so Drop C# and Drop Db are the same tuning written two ways.