Open C uses the three notes that form the triad of a C major chord, the lowering and raising of certain strings help to create a mixture of sweet and dark tones.

This tuning is a popular choice for a twelve string, it also works well on a six string. Jimi Page from Led Zeplin for one demonstrates how good this tuning can sound in songs like "Friends" (Led Zeppelin III), "Bron-Yr-Aur" (Physical Graffiti) and "Poor Tom", (Coda).