C#G#C#D#G#D# Guitar Tuner
C#G#C#D#G#D# | D♭A♭D♭E♭A♭E♭ Viva La Vida - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
The "Viva La Vida" tuning is a distinctive open tuning prominently featured by Chris Martin of Coldplay for their iconic song. This tuning transforms the guitar into a resonant instrument, primarily based around a C#sus2 chord, providing a bright and spacious harmonic landscape.
Technically, the open strings are tuned to C# G# C# D# G# D# (from low E to high e). This arrangement immediately forms a C#sus2 chord when strummed open, characterized by its root (C#), perfect fifth (G#), and major second (D#). The repetition of C#, G#, and D# across the strings creates a rich, layered sound with natural drones, lending itself perfectly to the anthemic and reflective qualities of the song it's named after.
This tuning offers a unique palette for songwriting. With the open strings forming a C#sus2, it encourages exploration of suspended harmonies and allows for easily accessible power chords built on C# and its related intervals. Moving up the neck, simple barre shapes or two-finger voicings can readily yield D#sus2 (two frets up from C#) and G#sus2 (seven frets up from C#) chords, maintaining the characteristic open, suspended feel. The intervallic structure avoids a strong major or minor tonality in its open form, providing a versatile sound that can feel hopeful, pensive, or grand depending on melodic context.
How to Tune
To achieve the "Viva La Vida" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments:
- Low E String (6th String): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C3#.
- A String (5th String): Tune down 1 semitone from A to G3#.
- D String (4th String): Tune down 1 semitone from D to C4#.
- G String (3rd String): Tune down 4 semitones from G to D4#.
- B String (2nd String): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G4#.
- High E String (1st String): Tune down 1 semitone from E to D5#.
Important Note on String Gauge: Several strings in this tuning require significant detuning (3 or 4 semitones down). While generally manageable, for optimal string tension, intonation, and playability, especially with the 6th, 3rd, and 2nd strings, you may consider using a slightly heavier gauge string set if you plan to use this tuning regularly. Tuning down more than 4 semitones can lead to very loose strings, while tuning up more than 4 semitones can risk string breakage or neck damage.
6th String (Low E): C3#
5th String (A): G3#
4th String (D): C4#
3rd String (G): D4#
2nd String (B): G4#
1st String (High E): D5#
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Capos for C#G#C#D#G#D#
| Capo | Tuning | Name |
|---|---|---|
| -1 | CGCDGD | Martin Carthy Tuning |
| 0 | C#G#C#D#G#D# | Viva La Vida |
| 1 | DADEAE | Dsus2 Modal |
More C#G#C#D#G#D# Resources
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -3
- -1
- -1
- -4
- -3
- -1
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