Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you interested in guitar alternate tunings? Do you want to know the difference between Drop C and Drop D? In many ways Drop D and Drop C are very similar. However, there are a couple of important differences. Keep reading What’s the Basic Difference Between Drop C and Drop D Tunings? to learn what the differences are and how they impact your playing.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
What’s the Difference Between Drop C and Drop D Tunings #1: Introducing Drop D and Drop C Tunings
So, how do you tune them?
- Start by getting your guitar into the standard EADGBE (from fattest to thinnest string).
- Then, lower the low E string down to D. Voila, you’re now in Drop D tuning: DADGBE.
- This allows you to play fuller sounding open D chords.
- Next, you simply take Drop D and slacken every string by a whole step until you get into Drop C tuning: CGCFAD.
- In both Drop D and Drop C tunings you’ll be able to play power chords on the lowest two strings just by barring them with one finger. This makes it so you can create melodically flowing riffs.
You can use an electronic tuner to get into Drop C, or you can make your guitar sound really cool by making fine adjustments to the open strings by ear:
- Finger a D major chord shape (though the actual notes will be for a C major chord: C E G).
- Run your pick across all the open strings while adjusting your tuning machines.
- Try to eliminate all the beating between neighboring strings. Be sure to go through all the strings this way.
When the whole chord is beatless, you’re internally in tune.
For an example of how Drop D does something similar:
What’s the Difference Between Drop C and Drop D Tunings #2: Be Aware of Where You’re Playing
Drop C is basically standard EADGBE tuned down a whole step (excluding the 6th string):
- Therefore, all your licks, riffs, and chord progressions will work the same for all the strings except the sixth string.
- This means that you need to mentally adjust, keeping in mind that all your moveable chords and scales will be played two frets higher than you would if you were playing in Drop D.
- Drop C gives a deeper, harder driving sound than Drop D. That explains why you find it used so much in hard rock and heavy metal.
In addition, Drop C works especially well for heavy metal because of the power chords on the lowest two strings.
What’s the Difference Between Drop C and Drop D Tunings #3: String Gauge
Another big difference between Drop D and Drop C tuning is that you can use a lighter gauge of string with Drop D:
- Conversely, Drop C tuning will need at least medium gauge strings.
- When you tune that low, the string tension will be lower, which can make the strings flop around. Fret buzz can also be an issue.
- Therefore, you’ll need to use a higher gauge string, like 0.11s or 0.12s.
What’s the Difference Between Drop C and Drop D Tunings #4: Let’s Play Some Riffs!
You won’t really own these alternate guitar tunings until you’ve played something in them. So, I’ve provided some guitar riff videos for your viewing pleasure.
Mobile users: for best results viewing the videos, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Video: Drop D - How to Play “With Arms Wide Open”
The first video has a song in Drop D, and it includes tab in the video.
Video: Drop C - How to Play “Citizen Soldier”
The second video is in Drop C, and it likewise includes tab in the video.
Final Thoughts
The takeaway points:
- Standard tuning (EADGBE) and Drop D are the same except that you lower the 6th string E down to D.
- Drop D and Drop C are basically the same except that in the latter all the strings are tuned down a whole step when compared with the former.
- This makes for a full sounding D major chord (or the D major shape in Drop C).
- Power chords are very easy to play on the bottom two strings of the guitar. However, Drop C will sound lower and will sound more powerful when you use distortion.
- Also, Drop C will need at least medium gauge strings.
Have fun playing!
Related Posts
- A How to Guide for Incredibly Cool Guitar Distortion
- How to Use an Extremely Accurate Guitar Strobe Tuner
- What’s the Basic Difference Between Drop D vs Open D?
- Why Is EADGBE the Unquestioned Standard Guitar Tuning?
- Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament
© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
Glossary
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