Open C Tuning

Mic off

Open C C G C G C E

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.

Tuning

Pitch

Normal

Strings

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A4 calibration

440Hz
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Open C tuning (C G C G C E) gives you a huge, low C major chord on the open strings. It is popular with acoustic and fingerstyle players.

What is open C tuning?

Four strings change from standard tuning: the 6th string goes down two whole steps from E to C, the 5th string down a whole step from A to G, the 4th string down a whole step from D to C, and the 2nd string up a half step from B to C. The 3rd and 1st strings stay on G and E.

The low C on the 6th string is very low for a regular set of strings, so pluck it gently and check it twice. Many players who use Open C a lot move to a slightly heavier set.

Open C tuning notes

Open C from the thickest string to the thinnest is C G C G C E. The frequencies are for standard pitch, A4 = 440 Hz.

StringNoteFrequency
6th (thickest)C265.41 Hz
5thG298.00 Hz
4thC3130.81 Hz
3rdG3196.00 Hz
2ndC4261.63 Hz
1st (thinnest)E4329.63 Hz

How to tune to Open C

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E) and change 4 strings:

  1. Lower the 6th string (E) two whole steps to C.
  2. Lower the 5th string (A) a whole step to G.
  3. Lower the 4th string (D) a whole step to C.
  4. Raise the 2nd string (B) a half step to C.

The tuner at the top of this page is already set to Open 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 Open C

  • A very deep, rich C major chord on the open strings.
  • Lots of room for melodies over low drones.
  • One-finger major chords for slide.

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 C#C♯ 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 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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Open C tuning FAQ

How do I tune to open C tuning?

Start from standard tuning (E A D G B E). Lower the 6th string (E) two whole steps to C. Lower the 5th string (A) a whole step to G. Lower the 4th string (D) a whole step to C. Raise the 2nd string (B) a half step to C. The tuner on this page is already set to Open 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. Lower the 2nd string from C back to B. Or pick Standard under the tuner and tune each string until it turns green.

Why does my low C string buzz?

Dropping the 6th string two whole steps makes it very loose. Pluck it lighter, and if it still buzzes, a heavier gauge for that string (or the whole set) will tighten it up.