Open C Tuning
Open C tuning is not as common as the other tunings but has been included because of its different sound. The sixth string is lowered two tones (two frets).The fifth and fourth strings are lowered one tone (two frets) and the second string is raised one semitone. The open string notes as shown in the following diagram are therefore (beginning with the sixth string);
These notes form a C major chord. A C major chord consists of the notes C, E and G.
Tuning the Guitar to Itself
Open C tuning requires the sixth string to be lowered two tones, the fifth and fourth strings lowered one tone and the second string raised one semitone. This can be done in four steps.
Step One
Place a left hand finger on the sixth string at the 9th fret (a C#note),and play the string. Play the open fifth string (an A note). Turn the sixth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the note on the 9th fret is the same pitch as the open fifth string. The note on the 9th fret will now be an A note and the open sixth string will be a low C note.
Step Two
Option 1:
Place a left hand finger on the fifth string at the 7th fret (an E note), and play the string. Play the open fourth string (a D note). Turn the fifth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the note on the 7th fret is the same pitch as the open fourth string. The note on the 7th fret will now be a D note and the open fifth string will be a low G note.
Option 2:
Place a left hand finger on the fifth string at the 12th fret (an A note), and play the string. Play the open third string (a G note). Turn the fifth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the note on the 12th fret is the same pitch as the open third string. The note on the 12th fret will now be a G note and the open fifth string will be a low G note.
Step Three
Option 1:
Play the note at the 5th fret, fifth string (now a C note). Play the open fourth string (a D note). Turn the fourth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 5th fret, fifth string. The open fourth string will now be a C note.
Option 2:
Play the note at the 12th fret, sixth string (now a C note). Play the open fourth string (a D note). Turn the fourth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 12th fret, sixth string. The open fourth string will now be a C note.
Step Four
Option 1:
Play the note at the 5th fret, third string (a C note). Play the open second string (a B note). Turn the second string tuning key slowly in an anti-clockwise direction, raising the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 5th fret, third string. The open second string will now be a C note.
Option 2:
Play the note at the 12th fret, fourth string (a C note). Play the open second string (a B note). Turn the second string tuning key slowly in an anti-clockwise direction, raising the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 12th fret, fourth string. The open second string will now be a C note.
Octaves - Open C Tuning
As with the other keys introduced in the previous lessons, it is important to learn the popular octaves that can be played within open C tuning. The sixth, fourth and second strings share the same note at the same fret and the fifth and third strings share the same note at the same fret.
Bar Chords - Open C Tuning
Here are some of the more popular bar chords in open C tuning. The key note for open C bar chords is on the sixth string.
Major
Seventh
Sixth
Suspended
Add Ninth
Ninth
The final solo in this book is played in open C tuning.
