How to Tune to Drop C#
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure
To tune to drop C sharp, set a chromatic tuner to read any note, then tune the strings low to high to C sharp, G sharp, C sharp, F sharp, A sharp and D sharp. The low string drops the furthest, so tune it and recheck the rest after it settles.
Set the tuner to chromatic mode
Clip the tuner to the headstock and switch it to chromatic mode, so it reads any note and not only the notes of standard tuning. A clip-on tuner reads the vibration of the string through the headstock, so room noise does not change the reading. Check that the display is set to the note you want before you turn a tuning peg.
Tune the low string to C sharp
Start with the low string, the thickest one, and turn its tuning peg until the tuner shows C sharp. Tune down in small turns and pluck the string again after each turn, so the tuner reads the note as it settles. The low string sets the drop, so get it right before you move to the next string.
Tune the rest of the strings
Work across the strings from low to high, tuning each string in turn: G sharp, C sharp, F sharp, A sharp and D sharp. Pluck each string on its own and turn the peg until the tuner shows the note you want. Go slowly, since each string you change pulls on the neck and shifts the strings you already tuned.
Recheck every string and adjust
Go through all the strings again with the tuner, since the tension change from tuning down moves the strings you tuned earlier. Adjust any string that has drifted off its note, then check the whole set again. When each string reads its note on the tuner, the guitar is in drop C sharp.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on chromatic tuner with an octave display and calibration from 430 to 450 Hz, for guitar, bass, ukulele and violin.
- Chromatic mode
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip On
Snark SIL-RED Silver Snark Chromatic Tuner Red
A chromatic clip-on tuner with a high resolution display that rotates 360 degrees and vulcanised rubber joints.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz and an anechoic sound shield that keeps room noise out.
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip-On
These come from our ranked list Best Tuners, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are the strings in drop C sharp?
From low to high, the strings are C sharp, G sharp, C sharp, F sharp, A sharp and D sharp. Tune the low string to C sharp, then work across the rest in that order, low to high.
Do I need a chromatic tuner for drop C sharp?
Yes. A chromatic tuner reads any note, and the notes of drop C sharp fall outside standard tuning. The KLIQ tuner and the Snark SIL-RED are chromatic, and the KLIQ shows which octave you are tuning in.
Why do the other strings drift after I tune down?
Tuning down changes the tension on the neck, and that shift moves the strings you tuned earlier. Recheck each string with the tuner after you finish, and adjust any string that has moved off its note.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.