Drop D’s shape, a whole step lower
Drop C is C–G–C–F–A–D: take Drop D and lower every string a further whole step. The internal shape is identical — one-finger power chords across the bottom three strings — but everything sounds two frets darker, and the 6th string ends up a full two octaves below middle C, at 65 Hz. Every single string moves from standard, so budget a few minutes, not thirty seconds.
- E26th string82.41 Hz
- A25th string110.00 Hz
- D34th string146.83 Hz
- G33rd string196.00 Hz
- B32nd string246.94 Hz
- E41st string329.63 Hz
All six strings move: five drop a whole step, and the 6th drops two — from E2 all the way to C2.
Tuning down without getting lost
- 6th string first: E → D → C. That’s four semitones of travel — let the dial walk you down through D♯, D and C♯, and stop at C. If you see B, you’ve gone one too far. When the letters fly past too fast, slow the peg; the low string covers a lot of pitch per turn.
- Then the other five, each a whole step: A→G, D→C, G→F, B→A, E→D. Two letters down on the dial for each, needle centered.
- Re-check the 6th string last. Removing this much tension lets the neck relax measurably, which pushes the earlier strings sharp — the low C, tuned first, drifts most. A second pass is not optional in Drop C.
- Verify the octave. The dial shows the octave number next to the note — your 6th string should read C2 and the 4th C3. Low, saggy strings love to fool tuners with harmonics; the octave display is your lie detector.
The sound and who uses it
Drop C is modern heavy music’s workhorse: System of a Down, Bullet for My Valentine and a large slice of metalcore live here, precisely because it keeps Drop D’s one-finger riffing while adding real sub-bass growl. It also pairs naturally with a bass in the same tuning — if there’s a bassist in the room, point them at our bass tuner, which reads the corresponding low notes with the octave display they’ll need.
Prefer the darkness without the dropped string? That’s D standard (D–G–C–F–A–D) — Drop C’s cousin with a whole-step drop on all six and normal chord shapes preserved. It’s this page minus the final two semitones on the 6th string, and the chromatic dial above will happily take you there too.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the tuner jump around on my low C?
At 65 Hz the string moves slowly and its early vibration is rich in harmonics, so the first half-second of a hard pluck can read as G2 or even C3 before settling. Pluck with moderate force over the neck pickup area, let the attack pass, and read the dial where it settles. If readings stay jumpy, your string is likely too light for the tuning — see the string-gauge note above.
Can I get to Drop C with a capo trick, like half step down?
No — capos only raise pitch, so they can bring a downtuned guitar up (a Drop C guitar capoed at the 2nd fret plays in Drop D) but nothing brings a standard-tuned guitar down. Downtuning is the one direction where you must actually turn the pegs. The general pitch arithmetic is in our capo and tuning guide.
Drop C or half step down for heavier songs?
They solve different problems. Half step down is a small, almost invisible shift — same feel, slightly darker, singer-friendlier. Drop C changes the instrument: much lower range, much slacker feel, ideally different strings. If you’re asking which to try tonight on stock strings, it’s half step down; Drop C is a decision you make with your next string change.