Drop C tuning is C G C F A D, from the lowest string to the highest. It keeps the same low-string relationship as Drop D, but brings every string down a whole step further. The result is a six-string guitar with a lower, tighter register for modern rock and metal while retaining familiar Drop-style power-chord shapes.
What is Drop C tuning?
Start with standard tuning, E A D G B E. Tune each string down two semitones to D G C F A D, then lower the sixth string another whole step to C. That gives you C G C F A D.
| String | Standard | Drop C |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (lowest) | E | C |
| 5 | A | G |
| 4 | D | C |
| 3 | G | F |
| 2 | B | A |
| 1 (highest) | E | D |
The three lowest strings are C, G, and C: root, fifth, octave. That is why a single barre across strings 6–4 makes a complete power-chord voicing at any fret.
How to tune to Drop C
- Tune down to D Standard: D G C F A D.
- Lower string 6 from D to C.
- Check the open low C against string 4 at the 12th fret: both are C, one octave apart.
- Retune after a few minutes of playing; lower tension can make fresh strings settle slowly.
Drop C is substantially lower than standard tuning. A heavier string set and a correctly adjusted setup help the low C stay defined and in tune, especially with aggressive picking.
Drop C power chords
The core Drop C shape is the same geometry as Drop D, only lower in pitch. Barre strings 6, 5, and 4 at one fret; mute the higher strings if you want a focused rhythm-guitar sound.
- Open: C5
- Fret 3: E♭5 / D#5
- Fret 5: F5
- Fret 7: G5
- Fret 8: A♭5 / G#5
- Fret 10: B♭5 / A#5
- Fret 12: C5, one octave higher
This makes pedal-tone riffs especially direct: leave the open C ringing or palm-muted, then move one-finger power chords above it. The low range gives even simple movements a dense, percussive weight.
Chords and shapes in Drop C
Because every string has moved, standard-tuning chord names no longer apply to the same fingerings. However, the intervals between strings 5–1 are unchanged from standard tuning, so movable shapes keep their internal logic; their sounding pitch is two semitones lower. The altered interval is between strings 6 and 5, so voicings that include the lowest string need to be relearned.
For full chords, either build voicings from strings 5–1 or treat the low C as a deliberate pedal tone. A C minor or C5 riff underneath upper voices often sounds clearer than forcing an open-position standard shape across all six strings.
Useful scales in Drop C
C Natural Minor
C natural minor is C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. It starts at the open sixth string, making it a natural first map for the tuning. On the low C string: open C, fret 2 D, fret 3 E♭, fret 5 F, fret 7 G, fret 8 A♭, and fret 10 B♭.
C Phrygian
C Phrygian adds the tense flat 2 immediately above the open root: C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The first-fret D♭ against the open C is a classic low-tuned metal color. For a brighter third while keeping that flat 2, try C Phrygian Dominant: C, D♭, E, F, G, A♭, B♭.
→ Map C natural minor in the Drop C visualizer
→ Map C Phrygian in the Drop C visualizer
Common Drop C progressions
i – ♭VII – ♭VI: C minor – B♭ – A♭. Play the roots as open, 10th, and 8th-fret power chords on strings 6–4.
i – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VII: C minor – A♭ – E♭ – B♭. A broad minor-key movement that works well with an open-C pedal between chords.
i – ♭II: C5 – D♭5. The one-fret Phrygian clash is simple, immediate, and effective for breakdowns or tense riff openings.
Drop C vs Drop D
| Drop D | Drop C | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning | D A D G B E | C G C F A D |
| Lowest open note | D | C |
| Power-chord shape | One-finger on strings 6–4 | One-finger on strings 6–4 |
| Upper-string reference | Standard tuning | Two semitones below standard |
| Typical use | Rock, grunge, alternative | Hard rock, metalcore, modern metal |
Visualize Drop C on the fretboard
Select 6-String Drop C in AltTuningLab to recalculate every note across the 24-fret neck. Set the chord root to C and choose Power (5) to see the low-string barre, or overlay C minor and Phrygian to find lead lines around your riffs.
→ Open Drop C with C5 and C natural minor
Songs to learn in Drop C
These songs use Drop C in different ways: tight palm-muted rhythm work, fast power-chord changes, melodic lead parts, and low-string pedal tones. They make useful references once you have the tuning under your fingers.
- Bullet for My Valentine – “Waking the Demon”— a sharp introduction to Drop C's palm-muted attack and fast, low-string rhythm playing.
- As I Lay Dying – “The Darkest Nights”— combines melodic metalcore lead writing with the tuning's heavy rhythm-guitar foundation.
- Bullet for My Valentine – “Tears Don't Fall” — a useful study in moving between ringing chord parts, harmonized leads, and Drop C riffs.
- Killswitch Engage – “My Curse” — a strong practice track for syncopated chugs, octave shapes, and tight rhythmic stops.
Learn the rhythm parts slowly with a metronome first. In lower tunings, clean muting and precise timing make as much difference as the notes.
Next steps
Once Drop C feels familiar, compare it with Drop D to hear how the lower overall register changes the same riff idea. If you want an additional low string without giving up the Drop relationship, move on to 7-string Drop A.