15 Drop C Songs on Guitar

Particularly if you’re a metal or hard rock guitarist, you may have found that drop tunings can create a whole new sound. Playing tuned down gives the rhythm guitar some extra power and lends leads some extra bite. In this article, we’ll talk you through tuning down and introduce you to some drop-C songs to learn.

What is Drop C?

The name “drop C” can be a little misleading. After all, in drop D tuning, you just tune the low E string down a step to D while leaving the rest of the strings in standard tuning. But drop C requires you to tune all the strings down. You’ll need to tune the low E string two steps down to C. But then, you’ll need to tune the rest of the strings down just one step. Effectively, it’s D standard tuning with the low E tuned down an additional step.

If you’ve just mastered your guitar scales, playing in drop C can be a little tough. Most players learn their scales in E standard. Playing scales in a tuning like D standard is a bit easier, as you just shift your chord shapes down a whole step. But since drop C doesn’t preserve the intervals between the strings, playing scales is a lot different. But as we’ll see in a moment, the real beauty of drop C tuning is the ability to play power chords with just one finger.

Drop C Songs on Guitar_Six String Acoustic

How to Tune Your Guitar in Drop C

You likely already know that the standard tuning for a six-string guitar is EADGBE from the low E string to the high E string. Here’s how to go from standard tuning to drop C tuning:

Low E String: Tune this one down two steps from E to C.

A String: Tune this one down one step to G.

D String: Tune this one down one step to C.

G String: Tune this one down one step to F.

B String: Tune this one down one step to A.

High E String: Tune this one down one step to D.

Of course, when you tune down this way, make sure you use a high-quality tuner. If you want to work on tuning by ear, try tuning down without a tuner at first. You can then use the tuner to check your work and adjust as needed.

It’s also a good idea to first tune each string slightly flat and then tune back up to the desired note. This will keep tension on the string more consistent, and that will help keep your guitar in tune.

Before we proceed, a quick note on tuning down: if possible, have one dedicated guitar to keep tuned to drop C. Constantly switching tunings places a lot of stress on a guitar. And since tuning down reduces string tension, you may find that your guitar’s action will need to be raised to reduce fret buzz. If you’ve ever played guitar with very high action, you know why you wouldn’t want to go back to standard tuning with the action raised! High action means you’ll need to exert more pressure to push the strings to the frets. That can cause both hand strain and finger pain.

Switching to heavier gauge strings is also a smart choice with drop C tuning. Larger strings increase tension on the neck, so they’re less likely to cause buzzing issues. And if you’re playing heavier-sounding music, those larger strings can really add some weight to your tone.

Drop C Tuning Chords

Now that you have your guitar tuned properly, let’s take a look at how to play different chords with this tuning. Remember that because the strings don’t keep the same intervals as the strings in E standard, your usual chord shapes won’t sound right.

Open Chords in Drop C Tuning

As we’ll see in a minute, drop C is especially useful for power chords. But you can still learn some open chords in drop C.

To start, let’s look at an F major chord. Playing this one as an open chord is extremely difficult, as you need to mute strings in between fretted notes. Here’s one way to play it:

Fret the fifth string at the second fret
Fret the second string at the third fret
Fret the sixth string at the fifth fret
Mute or skip the rest of the strings

Playing G major poses a similar challenge. But one of the easiest ways to play it is as follows:

Fret the sixth string at the seventh fret
Fret the third string at the sixth fret
Fret the second string at the fifth fret
Mute or skip the rest of the strings

If you’re like most people, you might think that playing open chords in this tuning isn’t worth the hassle. After all, muting strings in between fretted notes isn’t impossible, but it can certainly be difficult. That’s why most tabs written for guitars tuned to drop C don’t include “regular” chords. Usually, you’ll see a combination of power chords and individual notes.

Power Chords in Drop C Tuning

We mentioned earlier that one of the best things about drop C tuning is that you can play power chords with one finger. Doing so makes rapid rhythm sequences a lot easier. It also helps you avoid unnecessary finger strain.

To play any power chord while in drop C tuning, you need one finger to fret the three thickest strings on the same fret. You can tell which chord you’re playing by the root note. The root note is the note you’re fretting on the low string (the one tuned to C). When playing this way, do not play the first three strings (the three thinnest strings).

If you play hard and are worried about accidentally striking one of the higher-pitched strings, you may be able to mute them. As you press the last three strings down with your index finger, you may find that the lower part of your finger naturally mutes the strings. Alternatively, you may find that resting your pinky or another finger on these strings mutes them.

Let’s check out an example of a single-finger power chord. You know that the sixth string is a C when played open. So if you fret the sixth, fifth, and fourth string at the first fret, you’re playing the C# power chord. Power chords are simply notated as the root note name plus the number “5” at the end. So the chord you’re playing now is a C#5.

Before we go further, it’s worth briefly mentioning how power chords work. The “5” notation reflects the fact that a power chord only contains two notes — the root note and the fifth. Most chords contain three notes. In the case of a major chord, you’re playing a root, a major third, and a fifth. For minor chords, you play the root, a flattened third, and a fifth.

Since a power chord only contains a root and a fifth, a power chord is neither major nor minor. It isn’t as sonically nuanced as full chords, but it’s ideal when you want a loud, bold sound.

If you’re used to barre chords with the root note on the sixth string, it can be tough to internalize which root means which chord. Here’s a quick reference for barring power chords in drop C — just remember to barre strings four, five, and six while skipping the first three.

Open: C5
First fret: C#5
Second fret: D5
Third fret: D#5
Fourth fret: E5
Fifth fret: F5
Sixth fret: F#5
Seventh fret: G5
Eighth fret: G#5
Ninth fret: A5
Tenth fret: A#5
Eleventh fret: B5
Twelfth fret: C5
Thirteenth fret: C#5
Fourteenth fret: D5

As you get further down the neck, playing power chords becomes a little less practical. Most players end up mostly using the chords closer to the headstock. With this array of power chords, though, you should be able to play songs in any key.

Songs in Drop C

Looking for some easy songs in drop-C to learn? Now that you know the basics of this interesting tuning, here are some songs to play!

1. “My Curse” by Killswitch Engage

In any article about drop-C songs, you’ll probably see this song as one of the first ones listed. Thanks to the low tuning, the song has a powerful, dark sound. It focuses on mourning a loved one. Its relatable theme and intense sound have led it to be featured in a variety of video games.

If you’re looking to primarily learn the rhythm part of the song, you may be relieved to hear that the chords you need are relatively easy. This resource shows you both tabs and chords for the entire song. As far as chords go, you mostly need C5, F5, and G#5.

2. “Animal I Have Become” by Three Days Grace

When you’re on the hunt for songs in drop C tuning, you’re almost certain to run into “Animal I Have Become.” This popular song has a heavy, sad theme: it focuses on realizing you’ve become someone you hate or don’t recognize. As is the case with many down-tuned songs, the lower tuning on “Animal I Have Become” really helps support the song’s message.

“Animal I Have Become” involves a few more chords than “My Curse.” For the most part, you will need C5, D5, D#5, F5, G5, G#5, and A#5. To really play it well, you’ll need to alternate chords with single notes played on the low C. This really accentuates the low end of the song.

3. “Blew” by Nirvana

The lower tuning makes drop-C metal songs sound especially intense. And “Blew” by Nirvana is an especially intense song. It’s a bit similar in subject matter to “Animal I Have Become,” as it focuses on feeling as though you’ve blown your shot at life. The ending of the song adds a bit of a hopeful twist, though: the lyrics simply repeat the phrase “you could do anything.”

In terms of the power chords used, “Blew” isn’t all that different from many of the other songs on the list. You will need C5, D#5, F5, F#5, and G5. You also will need a few full chords, including C and F.

4. “Savin’ Me” by Nickelback

Nickelback is a band that gets a lot of hate. But their song “Savin’ Me” at least offers you an opportunity to practice playing in drop C tuning! The song is one of the more sorrowful ones on the list. It chronicles someone who feels that they have lost all hope and have fallen far from what they wanted to achieve in life. They beg those around them to offer some kind of help before it’s too late.

As you can see from the song tabs here, “Savin’ Me” doesn’t necessarily include straightforward power chords. But if you look closely, you’ll see that you can simplify some of the chords by only playing the thickest three strings. For the power chord portions, you will mainly need D#5 and F5.

5. “Buttersnips” by PERIPHERY

Thus far, the songs on the list have mainly straddled the line between hard rock and metal. But for fans of very heavy metal, “Buttersnips” by the djent band PERIPHERY is a great choice to learn. The name of the song may sound delicate and whimsical, but the song is anything but. As part of the djent genre, this song uses powerful, high-gain distortion. Combine that with down-tuned playing, and you get a sound that is absolutely monstrous.

The song itself focuses on the cyclical nature of life and existence. And though its lyrics are thoughtful, it’s the powerful guitar that’s at the forefront of the mix. “Buttersnips” is also one of the more difficult songs on the list to play. As you can see from these tabs, there are changing time signatures, ties and slides, and rapid-fire playing that can be tough for newer players. This is a great song to play if you’re looking for a challenge. And if you have a pedalboard, make sure to crank up your dirt pedals!

6. “Frantic” by Metallica

Metallica is one of the most respected names in the world. But even their die-hard fans seemed to hate their “St. Anger” album. Some think the production is bad, others think the material is uninspired, and many people say the music reflected the fact that Metallica was beginning to fall out as a band. That said, “Frantic” is a pretty good song.

This powerful song kicks off the “St. Anger” album. It deals mostly with many of the band members’ struggles with addiction. As you can see in these tabs, “Frantic” isn’t too terribly hard to play. Much of the song is played on the sixth string. You do need some chords, though. You’ll mostly need C5, D5, D#5, and F#5.

7. “Net” by Belk

Hailing from the North of England, this brash and bold three-piece power violence group is equal parts intense and hilarious. Their music often touches on moments of real intensity, though never to the point of tipping right over the edge thanks to the alternatively guttural and birdlike vocals.

Indeed, sometimes the frontman will sound like a squealing pig, other times a cawing bird, and then still others some foul beast of the night who never leaves the shadows with a voice that could shatter skyscrapers. It is this voice that really helps Belk occupy a space in the uncanny valley between scary and funny, to the point where both traits are heightened by each other.

8. “River Blindness” by Belk

This is the release by Belk that really saw the vocals take on a whole different aspect. On their earlier releases, the vocals were very much indebted to noise rock more than anything, touching on certain aspects of the band’s Women’s sound. Subsequent work would then see the band going in a direction more focused on power violence.

Now, we have this megalith of a single, showcasing not only the frontman’s ample abilities behind the controls of the recording desk but also his ability to make his voice sound like a pig being fried alive into bacon. The squealing toward the end of this track is really something else and should be sampled even if only for that!

9. “Blue Jay Way” by the Beatles

Bet you didn’t think you’d be seeing a band like the Beatles on a list like this, did you? Well, this track might not have been written in drop-C but it can certainly be played in drop-C. In fact, the whole song is in C major and doesn’t change key one bit.

Try tuning your lower E string to C and strumming along, keeping the low C going with your thumb while plucking along to the melody on the other strings. You will no doubt find that the movement of the melody is incredibly satisfying to play along to, especially if you have a sound system worthy of the description.

10. “Nymphetamine Fix” by Cradle of Filth

Those less versed in the extreme metal music of England might not have already heard of Cradle of Filth nor of their smash hit “Nymphetamine Fix”, though perhaps if you are already interested in drop-C tunings you will find some interest in them also.

British readers might better remember Cradle of Filth from an episode of the hit comedy television show The IT Crowd, originally broadcast on Channel 4.

In the first season, there is an episode where the new manager of the IT department, Jen, finds a pallid figure garbed all in black looming in a hidden room of the IT office (the basement of the whole building).

This figure turns out to be the CEO’s former right-hand man who was written off when he discovered the band Cradle of Filth and started dressing like a goth, something that disturbed his usual flow in sales meetings. There is a particularly funny scene where this figure, Richmond, offers a grieving widow a Cradle of Filth CD, stating that it got him through ‘some hard times’.

11. “Stricken” by Disturbed

Believed by many to be Disturbed’s signature track, this classic tune at least features the sound that the band has become known for over the years – the inimitable ‘wah-ah-ah-ah’.

Their version of “Sound of Silence” is also pretty moving.

12. “Bodies” by Drowning Pool

Anyone who’s anyone will remember this track from the very early days of the internet.

Indeed, this has to be one of the first nu-metal tracks to really benefit from the wide spread of influence that the internet and platforms like YouTube can offer.

13. “Toxicity” by System of a Down

System of a Down is a now legendary nu-metal band, though this wasn’t always the case. Very early on, they were not taken all that seriously, in fact.

With this song and the accompanying eponymous album, they cleaved themselves into new artistic territory that was both critically acclaimed and welcomed with wide open arms by the public.

14. “Warm Water” by Belk

Another song by Belk is here on this list, this song occupies this spot purely for being so topical.

Indeed, its ability to combine hard and intense instrumentals with accounts of going cold in the winter for lack of warm water is poetical and telling.

15. “Something in the Way” by Nirvana

Finally, we end this list with another track by the inimitable Nirvana (though many have certainly tried).

This song is a delightfully droney jam on two chords that takes C as its root and paddles out to the center of a lake on its ooze.

Final Tones

Whether you’re looking for inspiration to create some of the best drop C riffs or just want to learn a few drop C songs, we hope this article has helped you at least get a start. Whether it’s your first foray into drop tuning or you’re just looking for another tuning to add to your arsenal, drop C is a great tuning to learn!

FAQs

Now we’ve been through a thorough introduction to both drop C tuning and drop C songs. But you still might have some questions before you really get started. Here are a few that guitarists commonly ask:

What songs are played in drop-C?

You can technically play any song in drop-C. However, because it adds that extra low-end growl, it’s most commonly found in metal and hard rock. Alternatively, if you’re playing along with someone who has a low voice, drop C can be a good choice.

Is it bad to tune to drop C?

In and of itself, tuning down to drop C isn’t bad for your guitar. But you may want to make some adjustments. For optimal sound and to avoid unnecessary buzzing, it’s best to switch to heavier gauge strings. That’s because heavier strings exert more tension on the neck than lighter strings do. Tuning down reduces tension, so by adding some tension with heavier strings, you can help keep buzz to a minimum.

In some cases, your guitar may need a truss rod adjustment or to have the action raised. This depends on how much buzzing you experience and whether or not you need or want to reduce that buzz.

What is drop C music?

Drop C music could describe any songs played in drop C tuning (CGCFAD). It isn’t considered to be a genre by itself. However, this type of tuning is most often seen in “heavy” genres like hard rock and metal.

15 Drop C Songs on Guitar

Table of Contents

What is Drop C?