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.
