Description

The 'Open C (CGDCGC)' tuning is a profound and highly resonant setup for the guitar, specifically designed to center around the key of C. It transforms the instrument into a powerful, drone-friendly foundation with a rich, full sound, making it exceptionally well-suited for genres ranging from heavy rock, metal, and blues to folk, ambient, and cinematic soundscapes.

Technical Analysis

• This tuning is characterized by a deep, open C chord structure. The open strings, C2-G2-D3-C3-G3-C4, essentially form a Cadd9 chord. This provides a harmonically rich and full-bodied foundation without the need to fret any notes, and the repeated C and G notes create a strong, resonant drone effect.
• The intervals between the lower strings (C2 to G2 and G2 to D3) are both perfect fifths, which creates an incredibly powerful, almost power-chord-like foundation. This makes the tuning ideal for heavy strumming, riffing, and creating a wall of sound.
• The inclusion of the D3 string, a whole step above the root C, adds a unique and compelling suspended or jazz-influenced quality to the open C chord, making it sound both familiar and intriguing, offering more harmonic complexity than a simple open major chord.
• The consistent string relationships, particularly the perfect fifths and octaves, mean that simple barring across any fret will naturally produce rich chords, often with suspended or added ninth qualities, allowing for easy exploration of different keys and voicings with minimal finger movement. For example, barring all strings at the 5th fret would yield an Fadd9 chord (F-C-G-F-C-F).

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe, with most strings needing to be tuned down. Please proceed with caution and use a precise electronic tuner.

• String 6 (Low E to C2): Original note is E2. Tune down 4 semitones to reach C2.
• String 5 (A to G2): Original note is A2. Tune down 2 semitones to reach G2.
• String 4 (D to D3): Original note is D3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at D3.
• String 3 (G to C3): Original note is G3. Tune down 7 semitones to reach C3. Caution: This is a substantial drop. For frequent use, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
• String 2 (B to G3): Original note is B3. Tune down 4 semitones to reach G3.
• String 1 (High E to C4): Original note is E4. Tune down 4 semitones to reach C4.

As a general guideline, if a string needs to be tuned down by more than 4 semitones (or tuned up by more than 4 semitones), considering a different string gauge can help preserve string tension, intonation, and prevent potential damage or premature string wear. String 3, in particular, has a very large drop.

String 6: Tuned to C2, which is the lowest C note available on a standard 6-string guitar.

String 5: Tuned to G2, forming a perfect fifth above the 6th string, providing a rich, fundamental harmonic.

String 4: Tuned to D3, continuing the pattern with another perfect fifth above the 5th string.

String 3: Tuned to C3, an octave above the 6th string, and creating an interesting major seventh interval with the 4th string (D3).

String 2: Tuned to G3, a perfect fifth above the 3rd string, maintaining the strong open chord voicings.

String 1: Tuned to C4, a perfect fourth above the 2nd string, completing the C-centric open chord structure.