Guitar tuning

Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)

Open C tunes the strings to C-G-C-G-C-E, a C major chord spread across a very wide range. The sixth string drops all the way to a low C, giving a deep, orchestral foundation.

The tuner opens already preconfigured; you only need to allow microphone access.

Strings and frequencies

How it sounds

It sounds big, resonant and full-bodied thanks to that low C and the repeated octaves. It is a favourite of modern acoustic fingerstyle and of anyone after an almost piano-like guitar sound.

Styles and genres

Recommended string gauges

Dropping the sixth to C leaves it very loose; a set with a heavy sixth (0.013-0.056 or one made for low tunings) keeps it from flapping and buzzing. The rest is fine with normal gauges.

Tuning tip

Watch the sixth string in particular: being so low, it is the most prone to buzzing and drifting. If it rattles, go up a gauge on that string alone rather than the whole set.