Music Theory Tools

Guitar tuning

Drop C# Tuning

Drop C# keeps the drop-tuning power-chord layout while lowering the guitar a half step below drop D.

Notes low to high
C#G#C#F#A#D#
Strings
6
Default frets
24
Open pitch range
C#2 to D#4
24-fret pitch range
C#2 to D#6
Also called
Drop Db, C#G#C#F#A#D#

Common uses

Open this tuning in the fretboard tool

Start with drop c# tuning loaded, then adjust root, scale, fret count, labels, colors, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard
C# Minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale common riff and lead vocabulary for drop tunings C# Minor Blues Guitar Scale heavier blues-rock phrasing C# Natural Minor (Aeolian) Guitar Scale minor-key rhythm and lead reference C# Phrygian Guitar Scale dark minor color for low-tuned riffs

Scale diagrams in this tuning

C# Minor Pentatonic Guitar Scale Drop C# Tuning C# Minor Blues Guitar Scale Drop C# Tuning C# Natural Minor (Aeolian) Guitar Scale Drop C# Tuning C# Phrygian Guitar Scale Drop C# Tuning
C# Minor Guitar Arpeggio minor-triad outline for drop-tuned riffs C# Minor 7 Guitar Arpeggio minor seventh vocabulary for lower tunings C# Diminished Guitar Arpeggio flat-fifth color for heavier progressions C# Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio half-diminished color around the low root

Arpeggio diagrams in this tuning

C# Minor Guitar Arpeggio Drop C# Tuning C# Minor 7 Guitar Arpeggio Drop C# Tuning C# Diminished Guitar Arpeggio Drop C# Tuning C# Minor 7 Flat 5 Guitar Arpeggio Drop C# Tuning