Guitar tuning · also CGCFAD
Guitar Drop C (C G C F A D) Tuning
Whole-step-down tuning with the 6th string dropped a further tone. Heavy, one-finger power chords.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | C2 | 65.41 Hz | 36 | perfect fifth | |
| 5 | G2 | 98.00 Hz | 43 | perfect fourth | |
| 4 | C3 | 130.81 Hz | 48 | perfect fourth | |
| 3 | F3 | 174.61 Hz | 53 | major third | |
| 2 | A3 | 220.00 Hz | 57 | perfect fourth | |
| 1 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | 62 | — |
Strings listed 6 → 1 (low E to high E). Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament.
Fretboard note map
| String | Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 2 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 3 | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F |
| 4 | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C |
| 5 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
| 6 | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C |
How to tune to Drop C (C G C F A D)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to C2, G2, C3, F3, A3, D4.
- Tune up to each pitch: if you overshoot, drop below and come back up so the string settles.
- Check every string once more — changing the tension of one string slightly pulls the others.
- Big changes from standard tuning stretch strings: give them a minute and re-tune.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of Drop C (C G C F A D) tuning?
C2 (65.41 Hz), G2 (98.00 Hz), C3 (130.81 Hz), F3 (174.61 Hz), A3 (220.00 Hz), D4 (293.66 Hz).
How do I tune a guitar to Drop C (C G C F A D)?
Tune each string to the pitches above with a chromatic tuner, starting from the lowest string; then re-check, because changing one string's tension slightly detunes the others.