How to Tune to New Standard Tuning (CGDAEG)
Robert Fripp's New Standard Tuning (C-G-D-A-E-G) tunes the lowest five strings in perfect fifths like a cello or mandola, with a high G on top. The all-fifths layout dramatically widens each string's range and creates voicings impossible in standard tuning. Fripp developed it for his Guitar Craft courses and King Crimson work, and a devoted community of players uses it exclusively.
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | C2 | 65.41 Hz |
| String 5 | G2 | 98.00 Hz |
| String 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| String 3 | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| String 2 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
| String 1 | G4 | 392.00 Hz |
Fun Fact
Robert Fripp devised New Standard Tuning in the early 1980s and taught it to thousands of students through his Guitar Craft seminars. Tuning in fifths means chord shapes and scale patterns are completely different from standard — essentially a new instrument — which Fripp saw as a way to escape ingrained habits.
String Tension & Setup Tips
Recommended Gauge:NST requires a special string set: the low C needs extra mass (.011-.059 style sets are sold specifically for New Standard Tuning) and the very high G is thin — many players use a plain .010 or a banjo string to reach G4 without breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Standard Tuning?
New Standard Tuning (NST), created by Robert Fripp, is C-G-D-A-E-G. The bottom five strings are tuned in perfect fifths (like a cello), with a high G added on top. It gives each string a wider range and produces unique voicings.
How do I tune to New Standard Tuning?
From low to high: C-G-D-A-E-G. You will likely need a dedicated NST string set because the low C and especially the high G are outside normal gauges. Use the tuner above and tune carefully, as the high G is easy to snap.
Why did Robert Fripp create NST?
Fripp wanted a tuning in fifths for its wider range and fresh fingerings, and used it to teach guitar 'from scratch' in his Guitar Craft courses, freeing students from standard-tuning habits.
What are the frequencies for New Standard Tuning?
C2 = 65.41 Hz, G2 = 98.00 Hz, D3 = 146.83 Hz, A3 = 220.00 Hz, E4 = 329.63 Hz, G4 = 392.00 Hz.