Guitar tuning · also CGCGCE
Guitar Open C (C G C G C E) Tuning
A wide, piano-like open C major chord. Deep bass and shimmering top.
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 fifth | |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | 55 | perfect fourth | |
| 2 | C4 | 261.63 Hz | 60 | major third | |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 64 | — |
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 | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E |
| 2 | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C |
| 3 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
| 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 Open C (C G C G C E)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to C2, G2, C3, G3, C4, E4.
- 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 Open C (C G C G C E) tuning?
C2 (65.41 Hz), G2 (98.00 Hz), C3 (130.81 Hz), G3 (196.00 Hz), C4 (261.63 Hz), E4 (329.63 Hz).
How do I tune a guitar to Open C (C G C G C E)?
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.