Tuning a guitar in Drop C tuning

In addition to the standard tuning of the guitar, musicians use its alternative forms. There are many guitar tunings that change the key and range of the instrument. Each tuning, including the Drop C, has its own uniqueness.

Drop C is most often used to add "heaviness" to the sound. During tuning, the five strings - from the first to the fifth - are lowered by one tone relative to the classical tuning. And the sixth string is lowered 2 tones (from E to C).

That is why the Drop C tuning has found its greatest popularity among rockers. Most likely, he was invented by them.

For comparison:

• standard guitar tuning: EADGBE (mi-la-re-sol-si-mi);
• Drop C tuning: CGCFAD (do-sol-do-fa-la-re).

The difference between the Drop C tuning and the standard does not end with the sound. To achieve a high-quality sound, on the guitar, you need to change the set of strings to thicker and harder ones. Lowering the tuning tends to weaken them, which can make guitar playing much more difficult and distort the clarity of the sound.

To choose the right strings of the required thickness, you should pay attention to the parameters of the instrument itself and its string set.

The scale of the guitar affects the flexibility and elasticity of the strings. The larger it is, the more tension it creates. Therefore, with an increase in the length of the scale, the thickness of the string set also increases.

Thin string sets cannot handle the pull of the Drop C. However, the use of thick ones has several disadvantages. The amplitude of the vibrations is reduced due to the strong tension, which results in a lean sound, despite the ability to easily play rock riffs using power chords.

There are strings with and without braids. There are sets in which the third string is also braided, like the bass.

Caliber is measured in inches. Most often, sets write the thickness of the first and sixth strings with a hyphen. There are sets in which the caliber is indicated separately for each element.

Standard and non-standard kits are produced. In standard sets, the caliber is more balanced. These are: 8-38, 9-42, 10-46, 11-50, 12-54.

Non-standard sets have some "irregularities". These include 9-46, 10-52, 10-60, 11-54, 12-60. The numbers indicate the size in a thousandth of an inch (that is, 8 is 0.008 inches, 38 is 0.038 inches, and so on).

Custom kits are better suited for any custom tuning. but Standard kits 10-46 and up are capable of withstanding the Drop C tuning voltage.

For guitars with an increased scale, special sets have been created: 12-68, 13-72. They are also used for standard instruments, but at a low setting.

In order not to deform the guitar, it is worth considering some nuances.

• If you cannot adjust the scale value, you can replace the guitar bridge. When changing the bridge, it should be borne in mind that these devices are "thick" and "thin". You need to measure the diameter of the part that is already on the guitar.
• Thick strings may not fit into the bridge or tuners. Sometimes changing the bridge and boring the tuning pegs can help. However, you should not engage in amateur performances, because there is a risk of ruining the instrument as a whole.
• Using thick strings can destroy the nut of the guitar. As a standard, it is milled to a thickness of 10-46. However, you can bore the nut to prevent the instrument from warping while playing.

You can sew off the nut manually using a set of files.

Nuts are made of plastic. Therefore, it is better to change them to more durable ones made of wood or bone, so that the strings do not press through the material, do not fall below the set level.

For the Drop C tuning, there is a diagram of the corresponding kits. Of course, this is averaged information. There may be other options as well.

• 10-60 - it is better to use braided strings, as they are more elastic, therefore they can withstand high tension.
• 11-52 is a valid option, but problems may arise due to weak tension.
• 11-54 - balanced medium voltage.
• 11-56 is the optimal set, since the 6th string in this set is thicker than the previous one (it can withstand strong tension).
• 12-54 - the use of this kit is quite acceptable. However, it can be difficult to play rhythm parts. Less tension will make your guitar sound quieter.
• 12-60 is the best choice for playing rock riffs.

You can rebuild the guitar to Drop C tuning by starting from the standard one. There are several ways.

The fastest way to tune your guitar is to use a guitar chromatic tuner. To do this, you can turn the tuner into automatic mode and begin to weaken each string individually until the desired character is displayed on the display. For the first it will be D, the second - A, the third - F, the fourth - C, the fifth - G, the sixth - C. The tuner himself will determine the desired octave.

You can rebuild the guitar, starting from the standard tuning, in the following way.

• Pull the 5th string while holding it at the third fret.
• Pull the 6th string without pinching it.
• Tune the sixth in consonance with the fifth. It should be borne in mind that the sounds obtained are different in octave (the sixth is one octave lower). But they will still merge into one. This will be noticeable to a trained ear.
• Tune the 5th, relying on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
• All other strings are tuned relative to each other at the third fret.

You can set up acoustics in Drop C in the same way as for an electric guitar. However, the sound will deteriorate sharply from this. Electric guitar riffs are too "hard" for acoustics. After all, an acoustic guitar is significantly different from an electric one. The thickness of the strings, the size of the body, and the materials of manufacture vary.

But if you really want to change the sound of the acoustics, there is a more gentle way. You can use a capo. This clamp changes the tension on the strings, and this also changes the key. In this case, you do not need to perform any additional actions. It is enough to fix the capo at the desired fret and enjoy the new sound.

In order to get a unique sound, you need not be afraid to experiment. After all, it is the craving for the new that creates an inexhaustible source of ideas.

For more information on tuning your guitar in Drop C tuning, see the following video.