Tuning Overview

"C Standard Tuning (Metal)" is a powerful and popular drop tuning for electric guitar, commonly adopted by metal and hard rock artists. This tuning shifts every string down by two whole steps (four semitones) from the standard EADGBe configuration, resulting in a significantly darker, heavier, and more resonant sound. The lower pitch adds considerable weight and aggression to riffs and chords, making it ideal for genres demanding a heavy sonic presence.

A key benefit of C Standard is the reduced string tension when using the same gauge strings as E Standard. This makes string bending and vibrato considerably easier, allowing for more expressive playing. However, this reduced tension can also lead to issues like unintentional bending or notes sounding out of tune if not careful. For optimal performance and to maintain proper string tension and intonation, using heavier gauge strings is highly recommended. This helps to retain clarity and attack, especially with fast, aggressive playing styles.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is effectively C Standard, meaning the relative intervals between strings are maintained from standard E tuning (Perfect 4th, Perfect 4th, Perfect 4th, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th). This consistency allows guitarists to directly transfer all existing chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios; they will simply sound four semitones lower. For example, a standard E minor chord shape played in C Standard will now sound as a C minor chord.

The open strings are tuned as follows, from thickest to thinnest: C2-F2-A#3-D#4-G3-C4. This configuration provides several harmonic possibilities for open playing:

• The low C2 and high C4 (strings 6 and 1) provide a strong octave foundation, while the G3 on string 2 completes a C power chord (C-G-C).
• The inclusion of D#4 (enharmonically Eb4) on string 3, alongside C2, G3, and C4, facilitates an easy open C minor chord or triad (C-Eb-G-C) across multiple strings, offering a rich, somber tonality.
• The open F2 on string 5 provides an additional foundational note, allowing for powerful open F chords or power chords.
• The consistent drop in pitch across all strings ensures that familiar power chord shapes remain easily accessible and produce a deep, resonant tone, characteristic of metal and hard rock genres.

This tuning is highly versatile for various heavy genres, allowing for both crushing power chords and intricate, low-pitched riffs, all while leveraging familiar fingerboard patterns.

Open String Notes:

• 6th String (Low E): C2
• 5th String (A): F2
• 4th String (D): A#3
• 3rd String (G): D#4
• 2nd String (B): G3
• 1st String (High E): C4

How to Tune:

To achieve C Standard Tuning (Metal) from standard EADGBe, tune each string down by four semitones. Due to the significant drop of four semitones (two whole steps) across all strings, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge of strings to maintain proper tension, intonation, and playability. Using standard light gauge strings may result in a very loose feel, poor intonation, and accidental bending of notes.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones from A2 to F2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 4 semitones from D3 to A#3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 4 semitones from G3 to D#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B3 to G3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from E4 to C4.