The 'C Augmented Low Drop' tuning is a uniquely deep and dissonant soundscape for the guitar, designed for players seeking an expansive and unconventional sonic palette. Instead of typical open major or minor chords, this tuning embraces augmented and suspended qualities, making it ideal for experimental genres, doom metal, ambient soundscapes, or cinematic compositions.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning creates a very low, heavy foundation. The lowest two strings, B1 and E2, form a perfect fourth, providing a dark, resonant drone that feels almost subterranean. As you move to the higher strings, the character shifts dramatically towards an augmented sound. The prominent C Augmented triad (C-E-G#) is strongly featured across strings E2, C3, G#4, and C4, giving the tuning a mysterious, unsettling, and expansive quality. The F3 on string 3 acts as a powerful dissonance, creating a tritone relationship with the lowest B1 and a perfect fourth with C3, adding significant tension and complexity to the overall voicing. This isn't a tuning for campfire singalongs; it’s for crafting dense, impactful riffs, eerie arpeggios, and abstract harmonic textures.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: B1 – E2 – C3 – F3 – G#4 – C4 (from low E to high E string).

• Intervals from the Lowest String (B1):
  • E2: Perfect 4th
  • C3: Minor 2nd (or Augmented Unison)
  • F3: Augmented 4th (Tritone)
  • G#4: Major 6th
  • C4: Minor 2nd (one octave higher than C3)
• Adjacent String Intervals:
  • String 6 (B1) to String 5 (E2): Perfect 4th
  • String 5 (E2) to String 4 (C3): Minor 6th (descending)
  • String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F3): Perfect 4th
  • String 3 (F3) to String 2 (G#4): Minor 3rd
  • String 2 (G#4) to String 1 (C4): Minor 3rd

This irregular pattern, with its blend of perfect fourths, minor thirds, and dissonant minor seconds, creates a highly unique fretboard landscape. The explicit C Augmented chord formation (E2-C3-G#4-C4) is a prominent feature, providing a distinct sonic anchor.

Open Chords and Accessibility

While not designed for standard open major/minor chords, the tuning prominently features an open C Augmented chord using strings 5, 4, 2, and 1 (E2, C3, G#4, C4). The low B1 and E2 strings make this an excellent tuning for extremely heavy power chords and single-note riffs, especially on the lower register. The unusual intervals encourage unique chord voicings and arpeggios that would be difficult or impossible in standard tuning. Moving simple shapes across the fretboard will yield unexpected and rich harmonic results. The significant drop in tension on most strings suggests that a heavier string gauge is highly recommended to maintain proper intonation and playability.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'C Augmented Low Drop' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments. Note that all strings are tuned down significantly, so consider using a heavier gauge string set for optimal performance and to avoid a 'flubby' sound.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B1.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A to E2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G#4.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C4.

String 6 (B1): The lowest and deepest note, providing a strong, resonant foundation for heavy riffs and dark drones.
String 5 (E2): A perfect fourth above B1, it reinforces the low end and acts as a key component of the implied C Augmented chord.
String 4 (C3): This note introduces the characteristic C Augmented sound, creating a minor second interval with the lowest B1 for immediate tension.
String 3 (F3): Adds a crucial element of dissonance, forming a tritone with B1 and a perfect fourth with C3, enhancing the mysterious quality.
String 2 (G#4): Completes the core C Augmented triad (C-E-G#) when combined with E2, C3, and C4, adding brightness to the augmented chord.
String 1 (C4): An octave higher than C3, it strongly reinforces the C and G# notes, allowing for a rich, full voicing of the C Augmented chord across the higher strings.