Verbal Analysis

The C Drop Standard (5-String) tuning offers a unique blend of deep, resonant power on the lowest string combined with the familiarity of standard tuning on the higher strings. By dropping the lowest string significantly to C, this tuning provides an immediate aggressive foundation, perfect for genres like heavy rock, metal, and progressive music where a heavy low end is paramount. The remaining strings (D-G-B-E) retain their standard intervals, meaning many familiar chord shapes and scales from standard tuning can be directly applied to the higher strings, making the transition relatively intuitive for the upper register. The configuration describes a 5-string setup, omitting what would typically be the A string of a 6-string guitar. This might influence certain voicings or lead lines, pushing players to explore new melodic and harmonic possibilities across the available five strings.

Technical Analysis

Open String Notes:

• String 5: C2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4

Intervals (from lowest to highest string):

• C2 to D3: Major Ninth (14 semitones)
• D3 to G3: Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
• G3 to B3: Major Third (4 semitones)
• B3 to E4: Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)

Open Chords and Reachable Voicings:

With the open strings C2-D3-G3-B3-E4, this tuning offers several interesting harmonic possibilities:

• Power Chords: The most immediate benefit of the dropped C is the ease of forming heavy power chords on the lowest string. A simple two-finger shape (or one-finger barre) can create a C5 chord (C2-G3) by fretting a G on the third string at the 5th fret, or an open C5 using the open 5th string (C2) and the open 3rd string (G3). Other power chords can be easily formed by fretting the lowest string and the third string (e.g., 3rd fret on string 5 (Eb) and 3rd fret on string 3 (Bb) for an Eb5).
• Upper Register Chords: The D-G-B-E strings maintain standard tuning intervals, allowing most common open and barre chord shapes that do not utilize the lowest two strings to be played as normal. For instance, open G major (ignoring the low C), D major, E minor, and A minor shapes are all readily available on these four strings.
• Extended Harmony: The full open voicing (C2-D3-G3-B3-E4) presents a complex sound. It contains a C major triad (C-E-G) and a D natural (the 9th), with a B (major 7th) and the E (major 3rd). This could be interpreted as a Cmaj9 chord with an emphasized 3rd, offering a rich, almost jazzy or atmospheric quality despite its heavy root.
• Root-Fifth-Fourth Shapes: The unusual interval between C2 and D3 (a Major Ninth) means typical drop-style power chord shapes (root-fifth-octave) won't work between these two strings directly. However, root-fifth shapes (C2-G3) are easily achieved.

How to Tune

To achieve the C Drop Standard (5-String) tuning, follow these steps to adjust each string to its target note:

• String 5 (Lowest String): Tune down 4 semitones from its original E2 pitch to C2. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider using a heavier gauge string for better tension and tone.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should already be at D3.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should already be at G3.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should already be at B3.
• String 1 (Highest String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should already be at E4.

Note: This tuning describes a 5-string configuration, where the string numbering (5 to 1) assumes String 5 is the lowest note and String 1 is the highest.

String 5: C2

String 4: D3

String 3: G3

String 2: B3

String 1: E4