Tuning your guitar is the foundational step to sounding great, and for heavier genres, Drop C tuning is a popular choice. This free online guitar tuner will guide you through tuning your guitar to Drop C and ensure you’re always ready to rock.
Understanding Drop C Tuning
Drop C tuning is an alternative guitar tuning that lowers the standard tuning to create a heavier, deeper sound. It’s achieved by tuning the low E string (the thickest string) down two semitones to C, while the rest of the strings are tuned as follows from thickest to thinnest: C-G-C-F-A-D. This tuning is widely used in rock, metal, and heavier music genres because of its powerful and resonant tone, and it also makes power chords easier to play.
How to Tune to Drop C with an Online Tuner
This guide will show you how to use this online guitar tuner to get your guitar perfectly in Drop C tuning.
Step 1) Activate the Guitar Tuner:
- Begin by clicking the red microphone symbol within the tuner interface.
- Your browser will request permission to access your microphone. Click “Allow” to enable the tuner to hear your guitar.
Step 2) Select “Drop C” Tuning:
- Before tuning, ensure the tuner is set to “Drop C” tuning. Locate the tuning selection dropdown menu, which usually defaults to “Standard.”
- Click on “Standard” and choose “Drop C” from the list of available tunings. The tuner is now configured to recognize Drop C notes.
Step 3) Tune Your Strings to Drop C:
It’s best to tune in a quiet environment to ensure the tuner accurately picks up your guitar’s sound.
- Start with the thickest string, which is now your low C string in Drop C tuning. Play the string clearly.
- The tuner will identify the note you are playing and show you how sharp or flat it is relative to the correct Drop C note.
- After playing the string, observe the slider that appears on screen. This represents the pitch of your string.
- Green slider = In Tune: If the slider is green, your string is perfectly tuned to the correct Drop C pitch.
- Red slider = Out of Tune: If the slider is red, you need to adjust your tuning peg.
Step 4) Reading the Tuner for Drop C:
When the slider is red, indicating an out-of-tune string, it will show whether your string is flat or sharp relative to the correct Drop C pitch.
If the slider is to the LEFT of center, your string is FLAT.
- To raise the pitch, slowly turn the tuning peg for the string counterclockwise. Keep adjusting until the slider turns green, indicating you’re in tune.
If the slider is to the RIGHT of center, your string is SHARP.
- To lower the pitch, slowly turn the tuning peg for the string clockwise. Adjust until the slider is green and centered.
Repeat this process for each string in the Drop C tuning order: G, C, F, A, and finally D (thinnest string). Take your time and tune each string accurately.
Tips for Tuning Your Guitar to Drop C
- Tune Down, Not Up: When tuning to Drop C, especially the low C string, it’s generally better to tune down to the note rather than up. This helps prevent string breakage and improves tuning stability. So, loosen the string below the target pitch and then tune up to it.
- Small Adjustments: Make small, gradual adjustments to the tuning pegs. Overcorrecting can lead to broken strings or make it harder to find the correct pitch.
- Check Tuning Regularly: Drop C tuning, like standard tuning, can be affected by temperature, humidity, and playing intensity. Check your tuning frequently, especially when you first switch to Drop C or before playing.
- Use Fresh Strings: New guitar strings hold tuning much better than old strings. If you’re struggling to stay in tune, especially in Drop C which can sometimes loosen string tension, consider changing your strings.
How Often Should You Tune Your Guitar in Drop C?
Just like with standard tuning, the frequency of tuning in Drop C depends on several factors:
- Playing Frequency: The more you play, the more often you’ll need to tune.
- String Quality and Age: New, high-quality strings will hold Drop C tuning better and longer.
- Guitar Condition: A well-maintained guitar will generally stay in tune longer.
- Environmental Factors: Temperature and humidity changes can significantly impact tuning stability.
As a general guideline, tune your guitar every time you pick it up to play, especially when using Drop C. If you’re playing for an extended session, re-tune every 30-60 minutes. For live performances, check your tuning between songs to ensure you sound your best in Drop C.
Keep this page bookmarked for quick access to this free online guitar tuner whenever you need to tune your guitar to Drop C!
