Drop C♯ tuning (C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯)
System of a Down, Avenged Sevenfold and Slipknot-era riffing, and players who find Drop C too loose on light strings.
Drop C♯ (also written Drop D♭) is Drop D lowered a half step: every string a semitone below Drop D, or half step down with the sixth string dropped a further whole step. The top five strings are E♭ standard, the sixth is C♯.
It sits between Drop D and Drop C, keeping most of Drop D's string tension while sounding a touch darker. A lot of 2000s alternative and metal lives here, including much of System of a Down's catalogue.
Notes and frequencies
From the thickest string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). Changed strings are highlighted.
| String | Note | Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | C♯2 | 69.30 Hz | −3 semitones from E2 |
| 5 | G♯2 | 103.83 Hz | −1 semitone from A2 |
| 4 | C♯3 | 138.59 Hz | −1 semitone from D3 |
| 3 | F♯3 | 185.00 Hz | −1 semitone from G3 |
| 2 | A♯3 | 233.08 Hz | −1 semitone from B3 |
| 1 | D♯4 | 311.13 Hz | −1 semitone from E4 |
From standard tuning
- String 6: lower E2 down three semitones to C♯2.
- String 5: lower A2 down a half step to G♯2.
- String 4: lower D3 down a half step to C♯3.
- String 3: lower G3 down a half step to F♯3.
- String 2: lower B3 down a half step to A♯3.
- String 1: lower E4 down a half step to D♯4.
Tuning to Drop C♯ in TuneGlass
- The app opens in 6-string guitar mode; if you changed the instrument, switch back in Settings.
- Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose Drop C♯ from the presets. Presets beyond the thickest string are part of TuneGlass Pro, a one-time purchase.
- Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.
Tips
- Think of it as two moves: tune everything a half step down first, then drop the sixth string another whole step.
- 10s hold up fine here; you only need heavier strings once you go on to Drop C or lower.
Questions
What are the notes of Drop C♯?
C♯ G♯ C♯ F♯ A♯ D♯ from low to high. The same tuning is often written with flats as D♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭.
Is Drop C♯ the same as Drop D♭?
Yes. C♯ and D♭ are the same pitch; which name you use is a matter of habit.
Related tunings
English