March of the Fire Ants

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

How to Tune from Standard to Drop C + Low A

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “March of the Fire Ants”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	A1	Tune down 7 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: .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"March of the Fire Ants" by Mastodon is played in Drop C + Low A (A - 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 A, 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 7 semitones down. Mastodon uses this same tuning on 9 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Drop C + Low A

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

Drop C Tuning130 songs

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

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

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

Custom Tuning (BADGBE)9 songs

BADGBESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

Custom Tuning (GGCFAD)8 songs

GGCFADOnly string 6 differs: G instead of A.

Mastodon’s Guitar Tunings

Mastodon plays 10 of 15 songs in our catalog in Drop C + Low A. Most-used tunings:

Drop C + Low AA - G - C - F - A - D10 songs
D Standard / Whole-Step DownD - G - C - F - A - D2 songs
Custom Tuning (A#GCFAD)A#GCFAD1 song
Custom Tuning (DAFCGD)DAFCGD1 song
The Rain Song (DGCGCD)D - G - C - G - C - D1 song

Gear for Drop C + Low A

Strings and tools that make playing "March of the Fire Ants" in Drop C + Low A easier.

Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (.012–.056)

Recommended gauge .012–.056. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.

View strings

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.

View winder

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“March of the Fire Ants” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "March of the Fire Ants" by Mastodon in?

"March of the Fire Ants" is played in Drop C + Low A: A - G - C - F - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "March of the Fire Ants"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 7 semitones (E2 → A1). 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).

What string gauge should I use for Drop C + Low A?

Use a .012–.056 set. The low strings sit several semitones below standard, so a heavier set restores tension and tuning stability.

Which other Mastodon songs use this tuning?

"All the Heavy Lifting", "Aqua Dementia", "Bedazzled Fingernails", "Call of the Mastodon", "Crack The Skye", "Curl of the Burl" and 3 more — all in A - G - C - F - A - D, so you can play them without retuning.