Rockport Sunday

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

How to Tune from Standard to Open C Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Rockport Sunday”:

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	G3	Leave as is
String 2	B3	C4	Tune up a half step
String 1	E4	E4	Leave as is

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

"Rockport Sunday" by Tom Rush is played in Open C Tuning (C - G - C - G - C - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to C, string 5 down to G, string 4 down to C, string 2 up to C. Some strings go down and others go up, so the tension shifts across the neck. Tom Rush uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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Tunings Close to Open C Tuning

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

Open B Tuning19 songs

B - F# - B - F# - B - D#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Pink Moon Modal13 songs

C - G - C - F - C - EOnly string 3 differs: F instead of G.

CGCGCD Tuning (Csus2 Modal)12 songs

C - G - C - G - C - DOnly string 1 differs: D instead of E.

Custom Tuning (CGCGCC)10 songs

CGCGCCOnly string 1 differs: C instead of E.

Tom Rush’s Guitar Tunings

Tom Rush plays 2 of 2 songs in our catalog in Open C Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Open C TuningC - G - C - G - C - E2 songs

Gear for Open C Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Rockport Sunday" in Open 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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Rockport Sunday” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Rockport Sunday" by Tom Rush in?

"Rockport Sunday" is played in Open C Tuning: C - G - C - G - C - E, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Rockport Sunday"?

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 2: tune up a half step (B3 → C4). Leave the other strings as they are.