TUNING REFERENCE

High C (5-String Bass) tuning

E · A · D · G · C

High C (5-String Bass) is a 5-string bass tuning with open strings E–A–D–G–C.

Instrument
5-String Bass
Strings
5
Open notes
E A D G C
With octaves
E1 A1 D2 G2 C3

FREE FRETBOARD REFERENCE

E Minor on the fretboard

Find each scale tone in a catalog tuning. Filled notes marked R are roots; outlined notes are other tones. Open strings are fret 0.

Choose a scale to see it in High C (5-String Bass). A scale does not need to contain every open-string note to be played in this tuning.

5-String Bass referenceE Minor scale in this tuning

5-String Bass · High C (5-String Bass) · Frets 0–12 · All scale tones

E Minor in High C (5-String Bass) on 5-String BassPhysical string order is preserved, with the first catalog string at the bottom. Read exact frets and pitches in the table below. Roots carry an R marker.0123456789101112E1A1D2G2C3String 1, fret 0: E1, rootERString 1, fret 2: F#1F#String 1, fret 3: G1GString 1, fret 5: A1AString 1, fret 7: B1BString 1, fret 8: C2CString 1, fret 10: D2DString 1, fret 12: E2, rootERString 2, fret 0: A1AString 2, fret 2: B1BString 2, fret 3: C2CString 2, fret 5: D2DString 2, fret 7: E2, rootERString 2, fret 9: F#2F#String 2, fret 10: G2GString 2, fret 12: A2AString 3, fret 0: D2DString 3, fret 2: E2, rootERString 3, fret 4: F#2F#String 3, fret 5: G2GString 3, fret 7: A2AString 3, fret 9: B2BString 3, fret 10: C3CString 3, fret 12: D3DString 4, fret 0: G2GString 4, fret 2: A2AString 4, fret 4: B2BString 4, fret 5: C3CString 4, fret 7: D3DString 4, fret 9: E3, rootERString 4, fret 11: F#3F#String 4, fret 12: G3GString 5, fret 0: C3CString 5, fret 2: D3DString 5, fret 4: E3, rootERString 5, fret 6: F#3F#String 5, fret 7: G3GString 5, fret 9: A3AString 5, fret 11: B3BString 5, fret 12: C4C

Notes-per-string views select the first matching scale tones on each string at or above the starting fret, within a 12-fret window. These are position studies: crossing strings can repeat or skip pitches. They are not guaranteed continuous ascending runs or finger assignments. Four-note layouts can require stretches or position shifts.

Fret positions and pitches · first catalog string to last
Open stringFretsNotes with octaves
1 · E10 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12E1 · F#1 · G1 · A1 · B1 · C2 · D2 · E2
2 · A10 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 12A1 · B1 · C2 · D2 · E2 · F#2 · G2 · A2
3 · D20 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 12D2 · E2 · F#2 · G2 · A2 · B2 · C3 · D3
4 · G20 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 11 · 12G2 · A2 · B2 · C3 · D3 · E3 · F#3 · G3
5 · C30 · 2 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 11 · 12C3 · D3 · E3 · F#3 · G3 · A3 · B3 · C4

Intervals from the first string

Each interval is measured by pitch class from the first physical open string. String order is preserved for re-entrant and doubled-course tunings.

StringNoteSemitonesInterval
1E10Root
2A15Perfect 4th
3D210Minor 7th
4G23Minor 3rd
5C38Minor 6th

Compare with Standard (5-String Bass)

Pitch changes in semitones for each physical string, compared with Standard (5-String Bass). Negative values lower the pitch; positive values raise it. Check your instrument and string gauges before changing register.

StringDefault pitchThis tuningChange
1B0E1+5 semitones
2E1A1+5 semitones
3A1D2+5 semitones
4D2G2+5 semitones
5G2C3+5 semitones

Explore this string layout

Browse 5-string bass tunings. Related tunings below prioritize the default tuning, matching interval structures, and nearby open-string pitches.

Chords available in the open strings

C MajorA Minor

Scales containing every open-string pitch class

C MajorC Major pentatonicD MinorE MinorF MajorG MajorA MinorA Minor pentatonic

Related tunings

Standard (5-String Bass)

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