About C Standard Tuning

The tuning described as C Standard is a powerful, low-end tuning, commonly utilized across various genres, but particularly favored by metal and hard rock musicians for its deep, resonant sound and heavy feel. As its name suggests, it maintains the familiar intervalic relationships of standard tuning (EADGBe) but shifts every string down by two whole steps, resulting in a profoundly lower register.

Technical Analysis

In C Standard, the open strings are tuned to C1-F1-A#2-D#3-G2-C3 (from low to high). This tuning essentially transposes the entire guitar down four semitones from E Standard. This significant drop in pitch results in slacker string tension, which can be ideal for aggressive riffing, crushing power chords, and achieving a darker, more guttural tone.

Due to its "standard" interval structure, all your existing chord shapes and scale patterns from E Standard remain perfectly valid; they simply produce a lower-pitched chord or scale. For example, a power chord shape on the low E string will now be a C power chord when played on the low C string. The open C string provides a fantastic foundation for heavy riffs, especially when paired with the open F and A# strings to form powerful, low-frequency chords.

Open Chords and Accessibility

While the open strings themselves (C-F-A#-D#-G-C) do not form a single common chord, the tuning provides a deep sonic palette.

• Power chords are incredibly accessible and gain immense weight. For example, a C5 power chord can be easily achieved with the open low C string.
• Barre chords maintain their shapes, simply sounding four semitones lower than in E Standard.
• The overall lower tension can make bending strings easier for some players, allowing for expressive vibrato and lead work within the lower register.

Open String Notes

The C Standard tuning features the following open string notes (from thickest/lowest to thinnest/highest):

• String 6 (Low E equivalent): C1
• String 5 (A equivalent): F1
• String 4 (D equivalent): A#2
• String 3 (G equivalent): D#3
• String 2 (B equivalent): G2
• String 1 (High E equivalent): C3

How to Tune to C Standard

To achieve this C Standard tuning, follow the instructions below for each string. The movements described are relative adjustments to reach the specified target note.

• String 6 (Low String): Tune down 1 semitones to C1.
• String 5: Tune down 1 semitones to F1.
• String 4: Tune down 1 semitones to A#2.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitones to D#3.
• String 2: Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 1 (High String): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.

Note: All listed string movements are within typical tension ranges for standard guitar strings. However, if you are changing tunings frequently or notice excessive slack, consider adjusting your string gauge for optimal playability and intonation.