How to Tune Your Guitar in C

One way to get different sounds from your guitar is to try non-standard tunings to different chords. C-G-C-G-C-E, or C tuning as it is generally known, is one example. This tuning forms an open C chord. Other chords can be formed by simply barring frets up the neck (barring the entire second fret forms a D chord, for example). This tuning is also referred to as Open C and has been used by noted guitarists such as Leo Kottke, Bob Brozman, John Fahey and Bill Frisel. This tuning works well with acoustic and electric guitars.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar tuner

1. Clamp or plug-in your tuner to the guitar. Clamp-on tuners will generally attach to the head stock above the tuning keys. Plug-in tuners will use a quarter inch cable to plug both into the tuner and a pick-up on the guitar. If using a computer, most recording software will have a digital tuner built into the program.

2. Start by tuning the guitar to E-A-D-G-B-E, or standard tuning. Begin with the E string, the thickest or "sixth" string, and continue tuning the guitar down to the thinnest or "first" string. Tuning to standard will be used as a reference point when re-tuning.

3. Re-tune the sixth string, the thickest, two whole steps down to C. Check to ensure proper pitch by fretting the fifth string at the third fret. When the two strings are plucked, the tone should be the same.

4. Tune the fifth string one whole step down to G. Check to ensure proper pitch by plucking both this string and the open fourth string. The notes should be the same.

5. Adjust the fourth string one whole step down to C. Check the pitch of this string by plucking both this string and the sixth string, which was just tuned down to C as well.

6. Retune the second string one half step up to C. Verify the pitch is correct by plucking both this string and the fourth string.

7. The third string, tuned to G, and the first string, tuned to E, are not re-tuned.

Tips & Warnings

• When tuning down for any altered tuning, there is a chance that intonation of the guitar may be negatively affected. To avoid that problem, use medium gauge strings. That will also have the added benefit of giving the sound a fuller tone.

References

• Warren Allen's Encyclopedia of Alternate Tunings