How to Tune a Guitar
To tune a guitar, pluck each open string and adjust its tuning peg until the note matches the target: from the thickest string to the thinnest, E, A, D, G, B, E. The easiest way is a clip-on tuner or a tuner app such as the online tuner on this site.
Standard tuning: the six strings
Standard tuning names the six strings from the thickest, closest to your face, to the thinnest: E (6th), A (5th), D (4th), G (3rd), B (2nd) and E (1st). A handy mnemonic is "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie".
The two E strings are two octaves apart: the low E sounds at about 82 Hz and the high E at about 330 Hz.
Tuning with a tuner
- Play the open string once, firmly, and let it ring.
- Watch the needle or display. If the note is flat (too low), tighten the string by turning the peg so the pitch rises. If it is sharp (too high), loosen it.
- Always approach the note from below. If you overshoot, lower the string a little below the target and tune up again. This keeps the string stable.
- Repeat for all six strings, then go back through them again, because changing one string slightly changes the tension on the neck.
Tuning by ear: the fifth-fret method
If you have one reference note, you can tune the rest by ear. Press the 5th fret of a string and match it to the next open string.
- 5th fret of the 6th string = open 5th string (A)
- 5th fret of the 5th string = open 4th string (D)
- 5th fret of the 4th string = open 3rd string (G)
- 4th fret of the 3rd string = open 2nd string (B)
- 5th fret of the 2nd string = open 1st string (E)
Why does my guitar keep going out of tune?
New strings stretch for the first few days, so they need repeated retuning. Temperature and humidity changes, worn strings and poorly seated strings are the other common causes. Stretch new strings gently by pulling up on them, then retune.
If a guitar will not hold tuning even with fresh strings, check the tuning pegs for slipping and, on electric guitars with a tremolo bridge, the bridge setup.
Other tunings
Once standard tuning feels comfortable, explore alternate tunings such as Drop D and DADGAD, which open up new riffs and sounds.
Related
FAQ
What are the notes of a standard tuned guitar?
From the lowest (thickest) string to the highest: E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4, usually written E A D G B E.
How often should I tune my guitar?
Check it every time you pick up the guitar. Strings drift with temperature and playing, especially new strings.
Can I tune a guitar without a tuner?
Yes. Tune the low E to a reference note (a piano or a pitch pipe), then use the fifth-fret method to tune the other strings. A tuner is faster and more accurate for beginners.
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