HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER

Required String Notes:C - G - C - E - G - C

How to Tune from Standard to Open C Major (CGCEGC)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	C2	Tune down 4 semitones
String 5	A2	G2	Tune down a whole step
String 4	D3	C3	Tune down a whole step
String 3	G3	E3	Tune down 3 semitones
String 2	B3	G3	Tune down 4 semitones
String 1	E4	C4	Tune down 4 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER" by Led Zeppelin is played in Open C Major (CGCEGC) (C - G - C - E - G - C). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to G, string 4 down to C, string 3 down to E, string 2 down to G, string 1 down to C. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. 18 other songs in our catalog use Open C Major (CGCEGC).

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Tunings Close to Open C Major (CGCEGC)

Already tuned to C - G - C - E - G - C? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open D Tuning77 songs

D - A - D - F# - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)20 songs

C#G#C#FG#C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

CGCFGC Tuning14 songs

C - G - C - F - G - COnly string 3 differs: F instead of E.

CGCGGC Tuning14 songs

C - G - C - G - G - COnly string 3 differs: G instead of E.

Led Zeppelin’s Guitar Tunings

Led Zeppelin plays 1 of 22 songs in our catalog in Open C Major (CGCEGC). Most-used tunings:

The Rain Song (DGCGCD)D - G - C - G - C - D4 songs
DADGAD Celtic TuningD - A - D - G - A - D3 songs
C6 Tuning (CACGCE)C - A - C - G - C - E3 songs
Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E2 songs
Open F TuningC - F - C - F - A - C2 songs

Gear for Open C Major (CGCEGC)

Strings and tools that make playing "HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER" in Open C Major (CGCEGC) easier.

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky (.011–.054)

Recommended gauge .011–.054. The bass end is slackened noticeably; a slightly heavier set keeps it tight without a full setup change.

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D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER" by Led Zeppelin in?

"HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER" is played in Open C Major (CGCEGC): C - G - C - E - G - C, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "HATS OFF TO ROY HARPER"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 4 semitones (E2 → C2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 4: tune down a whole step (D3 → C3). String 3: tune down 3 semitones (G3 → E3). String 2: tune down 4 semitones (B3 → G3). String 1: tune down 4 semitones (E4 → C4).