Skip to content
Combining drop C an...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Combining drop C and standard tuning - power chords

6 Posts
4 Users
0 Likes
991 Views
(@mattguitar_1567859575)
Noble Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 879
Topic starter  

greetings all.

Ok i have this problem. I am trying to learn a song that consists of a picking section on the three treble strings, with power chords for the chorus. The tab for the power chord part looks like this -
B5 D5 G
g------------7-7-7-7-|-x--12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|
d-9-9-9-9-x--7-7-7-7-|-x--12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|
a-9-9-9-9-x--5-5-5-5-|-x--10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|
e-7-7-7-7-x----------|-------------------------------|

Having read an article on here about drop C tuning, it seems that in this tuning the power chords can be played like this

(tune to CGCFAD)
B 11 11 11 X X X
D 2 2 2 X X X
G 7 7 7 X X X

So the question is, can I tune the three highest strings to standard tuning, and the bass strings to open C tuning, and play the song? will the power chords in the drop C tuning sound the same as the ones in the original tab?

Urgent answer required if possible!!

thanks

Matt


   
Quote
(@anonymous)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

well, i can't answer the question, but it only takes a few seconds to tune a guitar, so why don't you just experiment and find out?


   
ReplyQuote
(@anonymous)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

I've only been playing for 3 months or so someone correct me if I'm wrong on this. The idea behind Drop C tuning is so you can play power chords on the bottom three strings using only one finger. I'm not entirely sure what your question is but if you want to play that tab:
B5 D5 G
g------------7-7-7-7-|-x--12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|
d-9-9-9-9-x--7-7-7-7-|-x--12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|
a-9-9-9-9-x--5-5-5-5-|-x--10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|
e-7-7-7-7-x----------|-------------------------------|

In drop C it would be:
B5 D5 G
D------------------------|--------------------------------|
A------------------------|--------------------------------|
F------------------------|--------------------------------|
C-11-11-11-11-x--2-2-2-2-|-x-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7------------|
G-11-11-11-11-x--2-2-2-2-|-x-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7------------|
C-11-11-11-11-x--2-2-2-2-|-x-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7------------|

So the way you have the chords in Drop C are right. It wouldn't sound exactly like the original tab though since D5 and G5 are now an octave lower.


   
ReplyQuote
(@wes-inman)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5582
 

mattguitar

First, I don't know what others call it, but the tuning CGCFAD is what I call "D drop C". You are tuning all six strings down one whole step, and then dropping the 6th string down an additional whole step. This is a very common tuning today. System of a Down uses this tuning on almost every song, many other groups do as well.

Now, that tab you are showing is not showing a dropped tuning of any sort. So why do you want to tune down when you can play it with normal tuning??

What song is this??

Regardless, the tab OneWingedAngel showed is correct. This would be converting the tab you showed in standard tuning to the Drop C (or D/C as I call it) tuning.

And not to be picky, but that tab is showing your bass strings, not treble.

If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis


   
ReplyQuote
(@mattguitar_1567859575)
Noble Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 879
Topic starter  

Maybe I didn't explain this very well!

The picking section is on the treble strings. The power chords (as I have tabbed) are obviously played on the bass strings. My question was can i combine the 2 - i.e keep the treble strings in "standard tuning" but use the drop c (or D drop C, whatever) on the three bass strings, so i can play the power chords BUT with one finger - I wouldn't be playing the tab, I would be playing one finger versions of it as you have suggested.. I really struggle (small hands) to play power chords "normally" so was looking for a way round it.

So it will be an octave away, is that correct?

thanks for your time on this everyone

Matt


   
ReplyQuote
(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

Matt,

If that works, then do it. The only real right and wrong in music is what your ears tell you.

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN


   
ReplyQuote