I E A I A I O

Required String Notes:C - G - C - F - A - D

How to Tune from Standard to Drop C Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “I E A I A I O”:

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	F3	Tune down a whole step
String 2	B3	A3	Tune down a whole step
String 1	E4	D4	Tune down a whole step

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

"I E A I A I O" by System Of A Down is played in Drop C Tuning (C - G - C - F - A - D). 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 F, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 4 semitones down. System Of A Down uses this same tuning on 22 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Drop C Tuning

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

Drop D Tuning130 songs

D - A - D - G - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DOnly string 6 differs: D instead of C.

Drop Db / Drop C#82 songs

Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Drop B Tuning39 songs

B - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

System Of A Down’s Guitar Tunings

System Of A Down plays 22 of 32 songs in our catalog in Drop C Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Drop C TuningC - G - C - F - A - D22 songs
Drop Db / Drop C#Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb10 songs

Gear for Drop C Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "I E A I A I O" in Drop C Tuning 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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“I E A I A I O” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "I E A I A I O" by System Of A Down in?

"I E A I A I O" is played in Drop C Tuning: C - G - C - F - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "I E A I A I O"?

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 a whole step (G3 → F3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4).