The "Drop Top C" tuning for the Guitar offers a unique twist on the standard EADGBe setup. As its name suggests, this tuning focuses on a significant alteration to the highest string, creating new sonic possibilities while maintaining familiarity across the lower five strings.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is essentially standard EADGBe, with the crucial difference being that the 1st string (high E) is dropped down to C. This creates a distinctive, lower voicing on the highest string, which can open up interesting melodic and harmonic textures, particularly when playing open strings or chords that incorporate the 1st string. It maintains the familiar intervals of standard tuning on the bottom five strings, meaning much of your existing knowledge of scales and chords will translate directly, but the top string demands a fresh approach and creative exploration.

Technical Analysis

Technically, the tuning notes are E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-C4. The lower five strings are tuned to standard EADGB, providing a solid and familiar foundation. The significant change occurs on the 1st string, which is lowered by four semitones (or two whole steps) from its standard E4 to C4. This creates a minor second interval between the 2nd string (B3) and the 1st string (C4), which is a very tight and potentially dissonant interval that can be effectively used for bluesy phrasing, jazz voicings, or simply for close-voiced melodic embellishments.

While the open strings (E A D G B C) do not form a single common chord, they offer intriguing harmonic potential by altering standard chord shapes:

• An open C major chord (typically X32010 in standard) now has the open C4 on the 1st string, reinforcing the root and allowing it to ring out clearly.
• An open G major (320003 in standard) becomes 32000C. The notes are G, B, D, G, B, C. This creates a G major chord with an added C (the 4th), transforming it into a Gsus4 variant or a Gmaj(add4), offering a softer, more suspended quality.
• An open E minor (022000 in standard) becomes 02200C. The notes are E, B, E, G, B, C. This results in an E minor add 6 (Em6) chord, which is a common and often desired voicing with a pleasant, slightly sophisticated sound.

Tuning Notes

• String 6 (low E): E2
• String 5 (A): A2
• String 4 (D): D3
• String 3 (G): G3
• String 2 (B): B3
• String 1 (high E): C4

How to Tune

To achieve the "Drop Top C" tuning, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain tuned to E2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain tuned to A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain tuned to D3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain tuned to G3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain tuned to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from its standard E4. This will bring it to C4. Please exercise caution when making such a significant adjustment. While a 4-semitone drop is achievable, it's at the threshold where considering a different string gauge might be beneficial for optimal tension and playability.