Open C Tuning Guide: Chords, Scales, and Songs

Open C is one of the deepest, most powerful-sounding alternate tunings on guitar. Strum the open strings and you get a huge, low C major chord that rings like an orchestra. It is a favorite for cinematic fingerstyle, modern acoustic songs (think Bon Iver's "Holocene"), and anyone who wants a big, lush sound from a single guitar.

This guide covers everything: how to tune to open C and set your guitar up for it, the chords and scales with plain tabs, famous songs, and tips to get the most from this rich tuning.

How to read the tabs: The six lines are your strings (top = thin high string, bottom = thick low string). A number is the fret to press; 0 is open. In open C, the strings are tuned C G C G C E, low to high.

What is open C tuning?

Open C tunes your strings, low to high, to C G C G C E. Those are the notes of a C major chord (C, E, G), so strumming the open strings gives you a full, deep C major - no fretting needed. That very low C string (two whole steps below standard E) is what gives open C its huge, resonant character.

Because three Cs and two Gs repeat across the strings, the tuning rings with rich overtones - perfect for drones, fingerstyle, and big cinematic chords.

How to tune to open C (and set up your guitar)

From standard tuning (E A D G B E), you lower four strings and raise none. Tune carefully and slowly.

String

Standard

Open C

6 (thickest)

E

C (down 2 whole steps)

5

A

G (down 1 whole step)

4

D

C (down 1 whole step)

3

G

G (no change)

2

B

C (up 1 half step)

1 (thinnest)

E

E (no change)

Setup tip (important): That low 6th string drops a long way - two whole steps down to C - so it will feel loose and may buzz or sound floppy with normal strings. For a tight, clear low end, use a heavier-gauge low string (many players use a custom set, with a thicker 6th string). A quick setup tweak - a touch more relief or slightly higher action - also helps the low C ring cleanly.

When it is right, strumming all six open strings sounds like one enormous C major chord.

The one-finger major chord

Like all open tunings, open C lets you play a major chord by barring one finger straight across all six strings. The chord's name is the note on the low (6th) string. Slide the barre up the neck for any major chord:

  C (open)     F (barre 5)    G (barre 7)

e|--0------    --5------     --7------

C|--0------    --5------     --7------

G|--0------    --5------     --7------

C|--0------    --5------     --7------

G|--0------    --5------     --7------

C|--0------    --5------     --7------

Barre at fret

Major chord

open (0)

C

2

D

4

E

5

F

7

G

9

A

12

C (octave)

Make it minor: The open E string (1st string) is the "major" note of the chord. Barre your chord but fret that high E string one fret lower for a minor sound.

Essential open C chords

Beyond the one-finger major, here are useful shapes (written low string to high):

Chord

Frets (low to high)

Notes

C major (open)

0 0 0 0 0 0

Strum and you are in C.

Movable major

barre any fret

Name = note on the 6th string.

Fadd9 / color chord

0 3 0 0 1 0

Lush, ringing open-string sound.

Csus / drone

0 0 0 0 0 3

Add tension before resolving to C.

Am (movable feel)

barre + lower the high E

Slide for different minors.

Tip: Open C loves open strings. Hold one easy shape and let the unfretted C and G strings ring through - that drone is the magic of the tuning.

Scales in open C (with tabs)

This is the part most guides skip - so here it is. The easiest way to start is on a single string. Since the open C string is C, the patterns are simple. Play these on any C string (string 6, 4, or 2):

C major scale (one string)

C|--0--2--4--5--7--9--11--12--|

   C  D  E  F  G  A  B   C

C major pentatonic (one string)

C|--0--2--4--7--9--12--|

   C  D  E  G  A  C

C minor / blues pentatonic (one string)

C|--0--3--5--7--10--12--|

   C  Eb F  G  Bb  C

Tip: Let a low C or G string drone while you play the scale up high. That ringing foundation under your melody is the signature open C sound.

Famous songs in open C

Open C appears across modern acoustic, folk, and rock. A few commonly cited examples (look up tabs to learn them):

  • Bon Iver - "Holocene"
  • John Butler - "Ocean" (a celebrated instrumental in open C)
  • Devin Townsend and various modern rock players (for its heavy, deep sound)
  • Many cinematic and fingerstyle instrumentalists who want a huge low end

Tips for playing in open C

  • Sort your strings first. A heavier low string makes the deep C tight and clear instead of floppy.
  • Let it ring. Open C rewards sustain - allow open strings to drone for that orchestral fullness.
  • Use a capo. A capo moves all your easy open C shapes to a brighter key while keeping the same fingerings.
  • Start simple. Loop C (open) and F (barre 5) to feel how easy chord changes become.

Open C vs other open tunings

Tuning

Notes (low to high)

Character

Open C

C G C G C E

Deep, huge, cinematic; great for fingerstyle.

Open D

D A D F# A D

Bright major; slide and fingerstyle.

Open G

D G D G B D

Bluesy, slack-key, fingerstyle.

DADGAD

D A D G A D

Suspended, modal, Celtic.

See our Open D, Open G, Drop D, and DADGAD guides to compare.

Frequently asked questions

What is open C tuning?

Open C tunes the strings, low to high, to C G C G C E. The open strings form a C major chord, so strumming without fretting gives a full, deep C chord.

How do you tune to open C?

From standard tuning, lower the 6th string E to C (two whole steps), the 5th string A to G, and the 4th string D to C. Raise the 2nd string B to C. The G and high E strings stay the same.

Do I need different strings for open C?

It helps a lot. The low string drops a long way, so a heavier-gauge 6th string keeps it tight and clear instead of loose and buzzy. A small setup adjustment also helps.

What notes are in open C tuning?

The notes are C, G, C, G, C, and E from lowest to highest string - the notes of a C major chord, with the low C giving its deep sound.

Is open C good for fingerstyle?

Yes. The repeated C and G strings create rich drones, making open C a favorite for lush, cinematic fingerstyle playing.

What songs use open C tuning?

Modern classics like Bon Iver's "Holocene" and John Butler's "Ocean" are well-known examples of open C's deep, resonant sound.

Start exploring open C

Open C turns your guitar into a deep, orchestral instrument. Set it up with a slightly heavier low string, lay one finger across a fret, and let those open strings ring. It is one of the most rewarding tunings for fingerstyle and big, cinematic sounds.

Want an acoustic that delivers a rich, full low end? Explore the Timberline 6-string collection.

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