F# Ionian Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Drop C

Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram

F# Ionian Pentatonic in Drop C — Notes and Intervals

The F# Ionian Pentatonic scale is a five-note subset that captures the essential bright spirit of the Ionian mode. On Guitar, its notes are F#, A#, B, C#, F. It focuses on the most stable notes of the major scale, offering a more open and suspended sound that is useful in modern pop and contemplative acoustic music. Commonly used in Pop, Acoustic, Contemporary, Ambient. Notable players include John Mayer, Ed Sheeran. Use over Maj7, Maj9, add9 chords. Provides a modern, open sound for pop and acoustic contexts.

Notes: F#, A#, B, C#, F

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 5P, 7M

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5

Formula: 4-H-W-4-H

Number of notes: 5

Tuning: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)

About Drop C Tuning

Drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) drops every string one whole step below Drop D, delivering a massive, brutal low-end that has defined the sound of modern metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal. The low C string provides earth-shaking power chords with a single finger while maintaining familiar Drop D shapes — just two frets lower.

From System of a Down's iconic riffs to Killswitch Engage's crushing breakdowns, Drop C has become the standard tuning for heavy music that needs to sound bigger than standard Drop D. It bridges the gap between standard guitar territory and the extended range of 7-string guitars, making it accessible to players who want heavier tones without buying a new instrument.

MetalcorePost-HardcoreNu-MetalHeavy AlternativeDjent-lite

Notable artists: System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red

Best for: Modern metalcore breakdowns, heavy power chord riffs, nu-metal grooves, and aggressive rhythm playing

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop C tuning