Drop C tuning

Drop C tuning is an alternative guitar tuning where at least one string has been lowered to a C, but most commonly refers to CGCFAD, which can be described as D tuning with a 6th string dropped to C, or drop D tuning transposed down a whole step. Because of its heavier tone, it is most commonly used in rock and heavy metal music.

Examples

CGCFAD tuning

• Alter Bridge – on the song "Isolation"
• Arch/Matheos – on the song "Sympathetic Resonance"
• Chimaira – on most songs after their first album
• Metallica – on the majority of songs in the St. Anger album
• Nickelback – on most songs in their 2003 album The Long Road
• Skillet – on the song "Monster"
• System of a Down – on the song "Sugar"

CADGBE tuning

• Bob Dylan – predominantly in the period 1965–1966
• John Mayer – on the song "Neon"
• Muse – on the song "Map Of The Problematique"
• Brad Richter – on the piece "Flirtation"
• The Tallest Man on Earth – on the song "The Sparrow and the Medicine"

CGDGBE tuning

• Richard Thompson – on the song "Hope You Like The New Me"
• Soundgarden – on the song "Limo Wreck"

References