CFA#DFC Guitar Tuner
CFA#DFC | CFB♭DFC My Drop C Standard - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
Verbal Analysis:
The 'My Drop C Standard' tuning plunges your guitar into a realm of deep, resonant power. It's an exceptionally low and heavy tuning that immediately evokes a dark, aggressive, and expansive soundscape. The overall feel is one of immense weight and sustain, making it ideal for genres that demand a crushing low end, such as modern metal, djent, progressive rock, or any experimental music seeking profound sonic textures. The substantial drop in pitch across most strings means a looser feel and a thick, growling timbre. This tuning is not for the faint of heart or traditional chord players; it's a specialized setup designed for intricate, low-end riffing and impactful power chords.
Technical Analysis:
This unique tuning, while described by its user as simply 'dropped two whole steps' from standard, actually features a more complex and varied drop across the strings. The open strings are tuned to C2-F2-A#3-D3-F3-C4 (low to high).
- Root Note: The lowest string is a powerful C2, establishing a deep C-centric foundation for the tuning.
- Open Chord Voicing: The full open string voicing (C, F, A#, D, F, C) creates a sophisticated, somewhat dissonant chord. If C2 is considered the root, the notes resolve to C (root), F (perfect 4th), A# (Bb, a minor 7th), D (major 9th), F (perfect 4th), and C (octave). This forms a C7sus4(add9) chord with the 5th (G) conspicuously absent. This particular voicing gives the tuning its distinctive suspended, dominant, and modern character, perfect for creating vast soundscapes or intense rhythmic figures.
- Power Chords: Due to the non-standard intervals between the lower strings (C2-F2 is a perfect 4th, not a perfect 5th), traditional Drop-X power chord shapes (root-fifth-octave using adjacent strings) will require adaptation. However, single-finger barring across the lowest strings (e.g., at the 5th fret for an F chord, yielding F-A-D#) will produce massive, thick chordal sounds suitable for heavy riffs. Specific two-note power chords (Root-5th or Root-Octave) would need to span non-adjacent strings or be played with specific fingerings. For example, a C5 (C-G) would involve the 6th string open (C) and the 5th string at the 5th fret (G).
- String Tension: Given the significant drop in pitch across most strings, particularly the 3rd (-5 semitones) and 2nd (-6 semitones), string tension will be considerably lower than standard tuning. This makes the use of much heavier gauge strings not just advisable but essential for maintaining proper intonation, playability, and to prevent excessive string flop, buzzing, and a muddy tone.
- Genre Suitability: This tuning is exceptionally well-suited for modern, heavy, and progressive music styles that capitalize on extended range and complex, often dissonant, harmonies. It offers a broad palette for creating powerful, low-end riffs and atmospheric textures.
This tuning provides a powerful and challenging canvas, inviting musicians to explore deeper, more experimental sonic territories.
Open String Notes:
- String 6 (Low E Equivalent): C2
- String 5 (A Equivalent): F2
- String 4 (D Equivalent): A#3
- String 3 (G Equivalent): D3
- String 2 (B Equivalent): F3
- String 1 (High E Equivalent): C4
How to Tune:
To achieve the 'My Drop C Standard' tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully follow these string adjustments. Due to the significant drops, especially on the middle strings, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings than standard to ensure proper tension, intonation, and playability.
- String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. (Movement: -4 semitones)
- String 5 (A to F2): Tune down 4 semitones. (Movement: -4 semitones)
- String 4 (D to A#3): Tune down 4 semitones. (Movement: -4 semitones)
- String 3 (G to D3): Tune down 5 semitones. (Movement: -5 semitones) — Caution: This is a very significant drop. Tuning a string down by 5 semitones will greatly reduce its tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this string to maintain proper feel, intonation, and to prevent excessive buzzing.
- String 2 (B to F3): Tune down 6 semitones. (Movement: -6 semitones) — Extreme Caution: This is an exceptionally large drop. Tuning a string down by 6 semitones (a tritone or half an octave) will result in extremely low tension with standard strings. A much heavier gauge string is essential for this string to be playable, hold intonation, and produce a clear tone without excessive flap.
- String 1 (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones. (Movement: -4 semitones)
Comments - have your say on CFA#DFC
Capos for CFA#DFC
| Capo | Tuning | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | CFA#DFC | My Drop C Standard |
| 2 | DGCEGD | Elliott Smith - Ballad Of Big Nothing |
| 3 | D#G#C#FG#D# | Open C#add9 |
| 4 | EADF#AE | Lute (2) |
More CFA#DFC Resources
Loading an obscene
amount of Chords
Loading an obscene
amount of Scales
Please use the below form to submit a song for CFA#DFC that is not already on gtdb.org.
Videos for CFA#DFC on
Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- -4
- -4
- -5
- -6
- -4
© 2025 GTDB