The C Phrygian 9-String Drop: A Deep Dive into Extended Range

This potent 9-string guitar tuning, aptly named "9 String doble drop C", plunges into the depths of sub-bass frequencies while offering a rich, dark harmonic palette. It's a tuning crafted for the modern extended-range guitarist, perfect for genres like progressive metal, djent, doom, and experimental music where colossal impact and intricate dissonances are paramount.

Verbal Analysis:

Imagine a sonic landscape where the very earth rumbles beneath your feet. This tuning delivers just that, with its lowest string reaching an astonishing C1. It evokes a feeling of immense power and gravity, creating a dense, wall-of-sound effect. The "double drop C" aspect hints at its ability to provide crushing low-end impact, while the arrangement of the middle strings introduces an exotic, often melancholic, or aggressive modal character. It’s a tuning that encourages open string droning, complex polyrhythms, and the exploration of unique chord voicings that wouldn't be possible in standard tunings. It feels heavy, expansive, and deeply resonant.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning of C1 G1 C2 F2 A#3 D#4 G#4 C4 F4 is meticulously designed for a broad harmonic and dynamic range:

• Deep Foundation (Strings 9, 8, 7): C1 G1 C2
  The lowest three strings form a powerful C5 power chord (C-G-C) across three octaves, with the fundamental C1 being exceptionally low. This provides a monstrous, solid base perfect for heavy riffing and open, resonant drones. The interval between C1 and G1 is a perfect fifth, and G1 to C2 is a perfect fourth, establishing a classic drop tuning feel.
• Modal Core (Strings 6, 5, 4, 3): F2 A#3 D#4 G#4
  This section introduces the unique character of the tuning. The notes (F, A# / Bb, D# / Eb, G# / Ab) are highly suggestive of a C Phrygian mode or a C minor scale with extensions. Strumming these open strings creates rich, dark voicings. Notably, the jump from F2 to A#3 (an octave plus a tritone, or 18 semitones) is a significant interval that breaks traditional chord shapes, opening up possibilities for unique arpeggios, intervalic playing, and drone effects. This wide gap requires careful fretting and offers distinct tonal separation.
• Upper Register (Strings 2, 1): C4 F4
  The highest strings complete the tuning with a C and an F, providing familiar reference points and allowing for melodic leads, higher chord voicings, and the ability to layer over the deep low end. C4 is middle C, offering a bridge to more standard guitar ranges.

Chords and Voicings:

• Open Chords: An open strum across all strings yields the notes C, G, F, A# (Bb), D# (Eb), G# (Ab). This collection strongly outlines a C minor harmonic language with a distinct Phrygian flavor due to the presence of Ab and Bb. This makes it ideal for crafting dark, exotic minor-key passages and chords with a distinctive modal character.
• Power Chords: Standard C5 (C-G-C) and F5 (F-C) power chords are immediately available and sound colossal due to the low string gauges and extended range.
• Unique Shapes: The unconventional intervals, especially the large jump between strings 6 and 5, necessitate and inspire new fingerings. This encourages creative chord shapes and allows for dissonant or highly resonant open string voicings that utilize the full breadth of the 9-string neck. Chords based on C minor 7 (C-Eb-G-Bb) are readily accessible within this framework.

Overall, this tuning is a beast designed for extreme low-end presence combined with a sophisticated modal character, offering a vast canvas for sonic exploration in the heavier and more experimental realms of guitar music.

Notes Overview:

• String 9: C1
• String 8: G1
• String 7: C2
• String 6: F2
• String 5: A#3
• String 4: D#4
• String 3: G#4
• String 2: C4
• String 1: F4

How to Tune:

To achieve the "9 String doble drop C" tuning, adjust your strings as follows. Please exercise caution when tuning, especially when increasing string tension.

• String 9: Tune down 1 semitone to reach C1.
• String 8: Tune up 1 semitone to reach G1.
• String 7: Tune up 1 semitone to reach C2.
• String 6: Tune up 1 semitone to reach F2.
• String 5: Tune up 1 semitone to reach A#3.
• String 4: Tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4.
• String 3: Tune up 1 semitone to reach G#4.
• String 2: Tune up 1 semitone to reach C4.
• String 1: Tune up 1 semitone to reach F4.

Since all string movements are within +/- 1 semitone, this tuning can generally be achieved with standard string gauges, though ensuring proper tension balance across a 9-string instrument is always advised.