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New Released in April 2026
Open C Tuning Chords: the Deepest Common Open Tuning
Open C tuning (C G C G C E) is the lowest and widest of the common open tunings. The open strings sound a C major chord spread over more than two octaves, so open C tuning chords have a deep, almost piano-like resonance that suits fingerstyle playing.
No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
How far each string moves
- 6th: E down to C (two whole steps).
- 5th: A down to G.
- 4th: D down to C.
- 3rd: G stays.
- 2nd: B up to C (a half step).
- 1st: E stays.
The barre chart
- Fret 0: C
- Fret 2: D
- Fret 3: Eb
- Fret 5: F
- Fret 7: G
- Fret 8: Ab
- Fret 10: Bb
- Fret 12: C
Open C Tuning Chords: the Deepest Common Open Tuning
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps.
Play the demoShapes from the open C chord
- Csus4: open strings with the 1st string at fret 1 (F).
- Cadd9: open strings with the 2nd string at fret 2 (D).
- C7: open strings with the 3rd string at fret 3 (Bb).
- Minor: barre a fret and play the 1st string one fret lower.
- Loose low strings: pick them softly, or use a slightly heavier set.
Listen to the low end
C open, 5th fret (F) and 7th fret (G) are I, IV and V. ChordRunner listens through the microphone to the notes that really sound, which makes it a quick way to check that the very low 6th string is still in tune.
The levels in ChordRunner
- Beginner: major, minor, augmented and diminished chords.
- Intermediate: adds sus2 and sus4.
- Advanced: adds 6th, 7th and 9th chords.
- Pro: adds 11th, 13th and altered chords; an adaptive mode adds the next family when you are ready.
Common questions
How do I tune to open C?
From standard: 6th string down to C, 5th down to G, 4th down to C, 2nd up to C. The 3rd (G) and 1st (E) stay.
Why does open C sound so deep?
The 6th string drops two whole steps to a low C and the chord spreads over more than two octaves.
How do you play a minor chord in open C?
Barre the fret and lower the 1st string by one fret.
Which instruments work?
A USB MIDI keyboard, detected automatically, or a piano or guitar through the microphone. Everything runs in Chrome or Edge on a computer, tablet or phone.
How is this different from apps where you tap the screen?
Tapping trains your eyes and fingers on glass. Here you press real keys or fret real strings, and the game hears the actual notes, so what you practise is exactly what you will play on your instrument.
Is everything in the demo?
The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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