GUITAR · C G C G C E

Open C tuning chords

Open C tuning is C G C G C E from the low string to the high string. Strum all six open strings and you hear a C major chord with C in the bass. Pick a root and chord type below to see the frets, the note each string sounds, and hear the shape.

OPEN C CHORD LIBRARY

C major0 0 0 0 0 0

Open C · C2 G2 C3 G3 C4 E4
C in the bass.

Root Quality

Each choice is checked against the Open C strings. Fret codes run low to high; 0 means open and X means muted.

Strings are shown from the low C string to the high E string. The table gives each actual sounding pitch and the bass.
Finger row: suggested finger — 1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 pinky; – not fretted. A bar means one finger holds several strings.

SELECTED SHAPE

C major

Open C · 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sounding notes, string six to string one
String	Fret	Note	Role
6 · C	O	C2	Root
5 · G	O	G2	Perfect fifth
4 · C	O	C3	Root
3 · G	O	G3	Perfect fifth
2 · C	O	C4	Root
1 · E	O	E4	Major third

Tune from standard to Open C

Three strings go down, one goes up and two stay where they are. The low E drops four half steps to C, so it feels loose; if it buzzes, play lighter or use a heavier gauge for that string. Tune string 6 last and check all six again, because the neck settles as the tension changes.

String	Standard	Open C	Change
6	E2	C2	down 4 half steps
5	A2	G2	down 2
4	D3	C3	down 2
3	G3	G3	no change
2	B3	C4	up 1
1	E4	E4	no change

Play C, F and G with one finger

Because the open strings already form C major, one finger laid across all six strings moves that chord up the neck. Fret 5 gives F (F C F C F A) and fret 7 gives G (G D G D G B). That is the I, IV and V of C, enough for many folk and blues songs. Tap each chord, then play the three in a row.

Minor and seventh chords need a different shape

A straight barre only makes major chords, because the major 3rd (E in C) sits on string 1. For a minor or seventh chord, one or two strings have to move off the barre. The shapes below come from the chord tool above; tap a row to load it there.

Chord	Frets (low → high)	Notes
	0 0 0 0 3 3	C2 · G2 · C3 · G3 · D#4 · G4
	0 2 0 2 0 0	C2 · A2 · C3 · A3 · C4 · E4
	0 0 0 3 0 0	C2 · G2 · C3 · A#3 · C4 · E4
	0 5 4 5 5 5	C2 · C3 · E3 · C4 · F4 · A4

Open C chord questions

What notes are in Open C tuning?

C G C G C E, low to high (C2 G2 C3 G3 C4 E4). Only three note names appear: C, E and G, the notes of a C major chord.

How is Open C different from Open G?

Open G is D G D G B D and its open strum is G major with D in the bass. In Open C the lowest string is the root, so the open chord is C with C in the bass, and the range goes lower.

Is Open C tuning bad for the guitar?

Three strings are lowered and one is raised by a half step, so the total string tension goes down. Retune after a few minutes and check that the low C is not buzzing.

Can I use a capo in Open C?

Yes. A capo at fret 2 turns the open strum into D major, at fret 5 into F. See the capo transpose chart for the names at each fret.

What is the difference between Open C and Open C6?

Open C6 tunes string 5 to A instead of G (C A C G C E), so the open strings sound C6. The shapes on this page assume Open C (C G C G C E).

Open G tuning chords · Open D tuning chords · DADGAD chords