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Guitar
Open C Tuning Online
Open C guitar tuning notes:
C2G2C3G3C4E4
This Open C guitar tuner is preset to CGCGCE tuning. Tune C2-G2-C3-G3-C4-E4 from low C to high E, then recheck the low C after it settles.
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Popular Songs in Open C
Practice these carefully selected songs to get familiar with Open C tuning. Each song showcases different techniques and chord progressions possible with this tuning.
Songs
8
Beginner
1
Genres
8
IntermediateIndie Rock2017
Bug
Alex G
Open C tuning creates a darker, more resonant sound perfect for indie rock.
Great for practicing open c techniques
BeginnerSka Punk1992
Badfish
Sublime
Classic Open C progression with reggae-influenced strumming.
Great for practicing open c techniques
IntermediateSouthern Rock1972
Little Martha
The Allman Brothers Band
Beautiful fingerpicked piece demonstrating Open C's melodic potential.
Great for practicing open c techniques
AdvancedBlues2002
Thorn Tree in the Garden
Derek Trucks
Slide guitar masterpiece in Open C showcasing advanced techniques.
Great for practicing open c techniques
IntermediateAlternative Rock1996
Burden in My Hand
Soundgarden
Chris Cornell's Open C showcase with haunting arpeggios and powerful dynamics.
Great for practicing open c techniques
IntermediateGrunge1996
Pretty Noose
Soundgarden
Heavy Open C riffing with Cornell's signature vocal melodies and dissonant chord voicings.
Great for practicing open c techniques
Why These Songs Work Well in Open C
These songs were specifically chosen because they take advantage of Open Ctuning's unique characteristics. Whether it's the open chord voicings, easier fingering patterns, or the distinctive sound that this tuning provides, each song demonstrates why many guitarists choose Open C for their music. Practice these songs to develop your ear for this tuning and discover new playing techniques.
Start Here in Open C
Badfish
Sublime
Practice Tips for Open C
- Start with the beginner-level songs to get comfortable with the tuning
- Focus on how chord shapes differ from standard tuning
- Listen to the original recordings to understand the intended sound
- Practice transitioning between Open C and standard tuning
- Experiment with the open strings to discover new chord voicings
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Learn Open C After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to C2-G2-C3-G3-C4-E4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Open C useful.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate guitar tuning.
Songs
8
Filter the song list by difficulty and genre once you are tuned.
Best for
Open C tuning, Open C tuning guitar, Open C guitar tuner, CGCGCE tuning notes
First practice targets
Badfish
Sublime
About Open C Guitar Tuning (CGCGCE)
Open C tuning for guitar (C-G-C-G-C-E) creates a wide, orchestral C major chord across the open strings. The low C gives the guitar a piano-like foundation, while the high E keeps the tuning bright and major.
Use this Open C tuning online page as a CGCGCE note check: 6th string C2, 5th string G2, 4th string C3, 3rd string G3, 2nd string C4, and 1st string E4.
This tuning is popular with acoustic players, fingerstyle guitarists, and songwriters who want huge open-string resonance. It works especially well for slow arpeggios, droning bass notes, and arrangements where the guitar needs to sound bigger than standard tuning.
Open C changes the feel of the fretboard more dramatically than Open D or Open G. Because several strings move far from standard pitch, tune slowly and recheck each string after the neck settles.
Open C is also written as CGCGCE tuning because the strings run C-G-C-G-C-E from lowest to highest. It is not the same as C standard tuning, which keeps standard intervals at C-F-Bb-Eb-G-C instead of forming an open C major chord.
Use this page when you need an Open C guitar tuner with exact CGCGCE notes, note frequencies, string gauges, chord shapes, songs, and safer setup tips for the low C string.
Target tuning
C-G-C-G-C-E
Open C guitar tuning notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
From standard
EADGBE to CGCGCE
Lower E, A, and D; keep G and high E; raise B one half step to C.
Best for
Acoustic drones
Big C major resonance, fingerstyle bass drones, slide guitar, and open-string arrangements.
Open C Tuning Notes (CGCGCE)
From lowest to highest: C2-G2-C3-G3-C4-E4
6th string (low C)
65.41 Hz
Low C, tuned two whole steps below standard low E and the deep root of the open C chord.
5th string (G)
98.00 Hz
G string, lowered one whole step from standard A and the fifth of the open C chord.
4th string (C)
130.81 Hz
Middle C, lowered one whole step from standard D and one octave above the low C.
3rd string (G)
196.00 Hz
G string, unchanged from standard tuning and another fifth in the open chord.
2nd string (C)
261.63 Hz
High C, raised one half step from standard B and doubled above the 4th string.
1st string (high E)
329.63 Hz
High E, unchanged from standard tuning and the major third that makes Open C sound major.
Recommended String Gauges for Open C Guitar Tuning
.012-.054 or light-medium acoustic strings
Open C lowers the 6th string all the way to C and changes several other strings, so heavier gauges help keep the low strings from feeling loose. If the low C buzzes or wobbles, try a heavier 6th string or dedicate one guitar to an Open C setup.
Common Chords in Open C Guitar Tuning
C Major (open)
All open strings form a full C major chord.
F Major (fret 5)
Bar all strings at the 5th fret for F major.
G Major (fret 7)
Bar all strings at the 7th fret for G major.
C Power Drone
Use the low C and middle C strings as ringing drones while adding melody above.
How to Tune a Guitar to Open C (C2-G2-C3-G3-C4-E4)
1
Select the Open C preset and start from standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E.
2
Tune the 6th string down from E2 to C2. This is a large drop, so lower the pitch gradually and let the string settle.
3
Tune the 5th string down from A2 to G2.
4
Tune the 4th string down from D3 to C3.
5
Keep the 3rd string at G3.
6
Tune the 2nd string up from B3 to C4 carefully. This is the only string that moves upward.
7
Keep the 1st string at E4, then strum all strings open for C-G-C-G-C-E (CGCGCE). Recheck the low C because it often settles flat.
Open C Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Open C tuning?
Open C tuning uses C-G-C-G-C-E from lowest to highest string. Starting from standard tuning, lower E to C, lower A to G, lower D to C, keep G, raise B to C, and keep the high E.
How do I tune a guitar to Open C from standard?
From standard E-A-D-G-B-E, tune the strings to C2, G2, C3, G3, C4, and E4. Lower the 6th string from E to C, lower the 5th string from A to G, lower the 4th string from D to C, keep the 3rd string at G, raise the 2nd string from B to C, and keep the 1st string at E.
Is Open C the same as CGCGCE tuning?
Yes. Open C and CGCGCE tuning refer to the same open-string notes: C-G-C-G-C-E from lowest to highest string.
Is Open C the same as C standard tuning?
No. Open C is C-G-C-G-C-E and forms a C major chord when strummed open. C standard keeps standard tuning intervals at C-F-Bb-Eb-G-C.
What string gauge works best for Open C?
Open C usually feels better with .012-.054 or light-medium acoustic strings because the 6th string drops all the way to C. If the low C buzzes or wobbles, use a heavier low string or set up one guitar for Open C.
What notes are in Open C tuning?
Open C tuning uses C2-G2-C3-G3-C4-E4 from lowest to highest string on guitar. Tune each string to those target notes, then double-check the low strings because they can drift after the neck tension changes.
What is Open C tuning best for?
Open C is especially useful for Open C tuning, Open C tuning guitar, Open C guitar tuner. It changes the way open strings and chord shapes feel, so spend a few minutes listening to the open strings before learning full songs.
Is Open C tuning good for beginners?
Open C is an intermediate tuning. Beginners can use it, but it helps to learn the target notes first and start with slower songs before trying fast chord changes.
What songs use Open C tuning?
Popular examples in Open C include Bug by Alex G, Badfish by Sublime, Little Martha by The Allman Brothers Band. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.