CGDFAC Guitar Tuner

CGDFAC Double Drop C Sus2 - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Double Drop C Sus2

Wide fifths spacing on the low strings - tighter thirds spacing on the higher strings. Basically double drop D with string 4 raised a full step (DAEGBD), and then transposed down another full step to C.

The spacing of fifths on the low strings is great for simple chords: strings 4, 5, and 6 form a one finger Sus2 chord which also allows for easy access to power chords, and major and minor triads.

Strings 1-4 form a Minor Dominant 7 - giving access to the common 7th chord types all the way up the neck. The tighter spacing on the high end also makes for easy arpeggios and scale runs.

Lots of easy open position chords available too - particularly some beautiful 9 chords!

I find this tuning is superb for all sorts of genres: Stoner/Doom, Alternative/Grunge, Blues/Rock, Surf, through to Folk, Classical, and Jazz. I am surprised it it not more common, as I honestly have come to eve

Verbal Analysis: Double Drop C Sus2

The "Double Drop C Sus2" tuning offers a rich, resonant soundscape, particularly suitable for genres ranging from Stoner/Doom and Alternative/Grunge to Blues/Rock, Surf, Folk, Classical, and Jazz. It's lauded for its versatility and ease of chord formation, often surprising users that it isn't more common.

At its core, this tuning is described as a transposition of a "Double Drop D with string 4 raised a full step" tuning (DAEGBD) down a full step to C. This gives it a unique character, providing wide fifths spacing on the low strings for powerful, easy-to-grab chords, while the higher strings feature tighter thirds spacing, perfect for intricate arpeggios and scale runs.

With the open strings tuned to C-G-D-F-A-C, the lower strings (4, 5, and 6: D-G-C) naturally form a one-finger Sus2 chord, providing immediate access to robust power chords, major, and minor triads with minimal effort. Moving up the fretboard, strings 1-4 (C-A-F-D) create a Minor Dominant 7 harmony, making common 7th chord types readily available across the neck. The tuning also boasts a plethora of beautiful open position 9 chords, adding to its harmonic depth.

Technical Analysis: Double Drop C Sus2

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to C2-G2-D3-F3-A3-C4 (from low E to high E string). The intervals between the open strings are:

String 6 (C2) to String 5 (G2): Perfect Fifth
String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect Fifth
String 4 (D3) to String 3 (F3): Minor Third
String 3 (F3) to String 2 (A3): Major Third
String 2 (A3) to String 1 (C4): Minor Third

The open C-G-D provides a strong, low foundation, suggesting a Csus2 chord. The entire open string set C-G-D-F-A-C offers a flexible harmonic palette. The lowest three strings (C-G-D) establish a robust, open C5 or Csus2 voicing. As highlighted, strings 1-4 (C4-A3-F3-D3) can be seen as a D Minor 7 chord, making complex voicings accessible with open strings and across the neck.

How to Tune: Double Drop C Sus2

To achieve the Double Drop C Sus2 tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these steps:

String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. Important: Tuning down 4 semitones (a major third) is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string to maintain proper tension and avoid excessive slack or buzzing.
String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones (a whole step).
String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones (a whole step).
String 2 (B to A3): Tune down 2 semitones (a whole step).
String 1 (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones. Important: Tuning down 4 semitones (a major third) is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string to maintain proper tension and avoid excessive slack or buzzing.