Bass Guitar Tuning

1. Ways To Tune the bass guitar.

4 String bass: all High to Low or Thin to Thick

Standard:		GDAE
Drop D:		GDAD
Drop C#: 		GDAC#
Half Step Down:	GbDbAbEb
Full Step Down:	FCGD
Drop D/G:		GDGD
Raised G:		GDAG
Low B: 		DAEB
Low A#:		C#F#D#A#
Low C#:		G#C#F#C#
Low C# Dropped To A#: D#A#FA#

5 String Bass:

5 String Standard:	GDAEB
Drop B:			CGDAE
Drop B/C:		GDADC#
Half Step Down:		GbDbAbEbBb
Full Step Down:		FCGD

6 String Bass:

6 String Standard:	BGDAEB
Low B:			CGDAEB
Low C:			EBGDAE

8, 12, 15, and 18 String bass:

8 String Standard:	GgDdAaEe
Full fifths:		GdDaAeEb
12 String Standard:	GggDddAaaEee
15 String Standard:	GggDddAaaEeeBbb
18 String Standard:	BbbGggDddAaaEeeBbb
Full Fifths:		GdgDadAeaEbe
Full Fifths:		GgdDdaAaeEeb

2. Tuning The Bass Guitar.

Tuning the 4th string:

We are now going to tune the bass to standard pitch. The 4th string is the thickest string, and sounds the lowest. Try to hear if the 4th string on your bass sounds higher or lower than the note you are hearing below. Then try match your bass to the note you are hearing. As you are listening to the 2 notes, try and hear the "crashing" sound that comes from the notes being out of tune. The closer you are to being in tune, the further away the notes will crash. To raise the pitch of a string, turn the tuning pegs that face up counter clockwise. If the tuning pegs face down then turn clockwise. Reverse the direction to lower the pitch. Never turn the tuning pegs unless the note is ringing. Otherwise, you will have no idea how far to turn the tuning peg.

Here is an example to tell if the 4th string is in tune. 4 string bass standard tuning is GDAE. The G string is the highest and the E string is the Lowest.

G|------|
D|------|
A|---0--|
E|--5---|

If those notes are the same, your in tune with the A and E string. Now do the same to the rest of the strings.

G|---------0--|
D|------0-5---|
A|---0-5------|
E|--5---------|

If the 5 and the 0 sound the same, your in tune.

Drop D makes the 4th string deeper. Here is how to get in to drop D:

G|------|
D|------|
A|---0--|
D|--7---|

If they sound the same, your in drop D variations: Drop D down a 1/2 step: From standard Drop D tuning, tune all of the strings down a 1/2 step (like they were 1 fret lower). Drop D down a whole step: From standard Drop D tuning, tune all of the strings down a whole step (like they were 2 frets lower). This is sometimes called Drop C by mistake. Drop C would mean to drop only the 4th string down to a C.

Comments

[bass tron]

Thank you now I can play Interpol songs with the dropped D

[playfielder]

you could have done harmonics and intonetion!

[blu9999]

i don't like harmonics, it works, but i don't like it. I think the best way is to just use a tuner to get the exact note.

[Psykotik]

forgot harmonics, yeah.

still good article

[dantheman123456]

C# tuning is
a#c#g#c#
other than that, good basic article

[isaluteu]

what about the standard frequency?

[FLB]

thanks alot realy helps out!!!

[cattleya_note]

i prefer bass effects to tune your guitar... its much much accurate than listening to it manually

[basschick44]

finally a tuning guide i can understand. thanks

[bass012]

thank you so much, that was a really great lesson.

[maciagt]

I'd like someone to explain when to use the different tunings. It's not a big deal to tune to a different note, but it is not clear as to when it is an advantage. Thanks.
[e-mail]

[blu9999]

maciagt,
some people prefer higher or lower notes so they go along with the guitarists. If a guitarist was in drop D, and playing low notes, you want to make your bass sound like the guitar. Otherwise, it woulden't sound right.

Harmonics:
Lightly put your finger over the 5th fret of the E srtring and strike it hard with your thumb of your picking hand. You will hear a higher piched, mellow sound. This is called a harmonic. Then put your finger over the 7th fret, A string. It should sound like the 5th fret E string. Hit both harmonics using your thumb (so you don't kill the note behind it, you could also use a pick) 5th fret E harmonic and 7th Fret A harmonic should sound the same togeather, but if either string is slightly out of tune with eachother, you will hear a "beating" of the sound waves. Can't really explain this too well, but it is a "in and out" kind of sound. You'll know if you hear it. Get both harmonics and relese your fretting finger and let the harmonics ring. Tune your bass so they sound alike. The faster the "beating", the more out of tune you are. When both notes sound exactly the same with no "beating" the strings are in tune with eachother. Do this with all the strings. It works on guitars too, but not with the G and B strings.

There, you have your harmnonics.

[acidbass]

Actually a standard 6 string bass is tuned BEADGC, with the 18 string triple strings tuned to BbbEeeAaaDddGggCcc.

[aravind]

good lesson. the guy who wrote this is sitting beside me in class

[eXtreme]

Great post, that has really helped me out but i would just like to know. what is the standard frequency used when tuning a bass?

[kristoff47]

i'm kinda nu to bass, just picked up a 5-string, can anyone tell me what i tune to to keep with the guitar, do i tunr the bottom string to his bottom sytring or what?

[peace2urmom]

kristoff47:
i'm kinda nu to bass, just picked up a 5-string, can anyone tell me what i tune to to keep with the guitar, do i tunr the bottom string to his bottom sytring or what?

it doesnt if its tuned to E just tune them together, have him pick the 6th string (low E) and you have to hit your E on the 12th fretand tune them together.
after you tune them then tune your bottom then you can sepratly tune the rest.

[LPUsoldier]

good job!

[hardcoreatheist]

shouldnt it be the 6th fret for tuning the 3rd and 2nd? If the 5th string zero=A then 1=A sharp 2=B 3=B sharp 4=C 5=C sharp and 6=D correct me if im wrong it sounds right using the 5th fret for all the strings but its not adding up in my head

[hardcoreatheist]

Thinking about it shouldnt they all be done using the 6th fret?
E string zero=E 1=Esharp 2=F 3=Fsharp 4=G 5=Gsharp 6=A
A string zero=A 1=Asharp 2=B 3=Bsharp 4=C 5=Csharp 6=D
D string zero=D 1=Dsharp 2=E 3=Esharp 4=F 5=Fsharp 6=G

[hardcoreatheist]

or am i jus gettin really confused?

[nolandstacey]

thanks...i just started to play the 5 string bass just about 1 month ago..and i never knew how to tune it right...been a guitar player since high school...yeah

[hardcoreatheist]

ignore my last two posts i was gettin very confused

[doonhamergal]

I am used to tuning my Bass with a keyboard or piano, but now i don't have to! Thanks very much.

[Sikk]

Great lesson, ha ha, I am so out of practice I was having problems remembering exactly what keys to use to tune to what. This put me right back into check. Now I am off to rememorize the ***ing fretboard.

[eragon2112]

thanks...I just picked up a 4 string bass and your lesson helped me. rock on.

[eragon2112]

how do you tune your bass if your 4th string is out of tune, and you dont have a piano or guitar?

[Fast_Bear]

Note a cool thing I have tryed once. Tuning your Bass down in 7ths! Its kinda hard to play, but it really rules! Especially for slower stuff!
The tuning is A# F C G (I think)
Whell, harmonicly you tune it like this:

F--(12)--
-
A#----(7)-

[CLIFF_BURTON]

how do you tune your bass if your 4th string is out of tune, and you dont have a piano or guitar?

[CLIFF_BURTON]

how do you tune your bass if your 4th string is out of tune, and you dont have a piano or guitar?

[spectrum_fairy]

CLIFF_BURTON wrote:

how do you tune your bass if your 4th string is out of tune, and you dont have a piano or guitar?

go onto an online tuner? that's what i do and i've only had my bass two weeks.

[monstertaco]

there is a thrice song thats tuned fcgc (or cgcf depending on how you look at it), what is that?

[Bepton]

What blu says earlier about harmonics. How can u not like harmonics? How else r u expected to get better if u don't expose urself to it? Dude....been playing for 14 years and have found harmonics the best, easiest and most reliable tuning method. If u don't know what a standard tuning soundike, u should be taught. Im a guitarist and trying to teach some1 bass. Most of the hints have been useful...then again...some havent...like the harmonics things.

[Bepton]

2 monstertaco.....if u look closely at it...they seem to be tuned up by half octaves. Not gonna say much coz its something u should learn by yourself.

[warlockmaster21]

1. Tuning with harmonics is the best way to get the bass/guitar tuned. If your guitar/bass is not intonated properly, harmonics will do the trick better than tuning it to an adjacent string on the 5th fret, because the pitch will be either lower or higher by so little on the 5th fret if it is not intonated properly.

2. If intonated properly, you could use the fretting method of 5=0, but you will have to turn the tuning peg with your right hand right after you pluck the strings. If you use harmonics you could let go of the strings and turn the pegs with the left hand (easier).

3. Finally, I like to tune my guitars/basses to standard pitch by hearing the crashing sound when you play two strings open. It works like this:
E=5th of A. which have a kind of resonance when played together. Even if you're tuned, you will hear a mellow crash, but this one's normal. If you are out of tune, you can hear the notes crash at two places, but when you're tuned properly, you can't hear the worse(badder) crashing sound. You just hear the mellower crash of the notes, which is the resonance. Its common if you don't get what I mean. Some people tell me I'm crazy when they see me tune my guitar/bass to their 5th interval. It ends up helping me tune the bass/guitar better than their own. As with the harmonic tuning, this won't work between the guitar's G and B string, because the B string is tuned a half-step lower from the 5th fret (C). If you understood what I meant I congratulate you.

[warlockmaster21]

I forgot:
4. If you want to tune the low E string to D on your guitar/bass, do one of the following:
A. Press the 7th fret on the low E string and tune the E string to match the A string.
B. The harmonic on the 7th fret, E string and the harmonic on the 12th fret, A string sound the same. You can tune to drop D like that too.
C. As I mentioned on the above post, you can also hear the two crashing sounds if you lower the pitch of the E string while the A string is ringing too. This time the resonance will sound better when they are tuned properly because it would be as if you were doing a power chord on the E and A strings. Again, this doesn't work on the guitar's B and G string.

[warlockmaster21]

By the way, the last half of this same article is placed in http://www.cyberfretbass.com/first-fret/basic-tuning/index.php
It's the exact same thing. Cough**Plaigarism**Cough

[livid_caution]

yay now i no how to tune my bass!

[Pickleboy03]

Thanks so much! Just got my bass and now I know how to tune it. You are #1!

[SaMeOLdStOrY]

monstertaco wrote:

there is a thrice song thats tuned fcgc (or cgcf depending on how you look at it), what is that?

Its droped C.
And the song is image of the invisible, correct?

[Nuums]

When you say Dropped C# = F# C# G# C#?! With GDAC# it doesn't make sense... Not on guitar.. eBGDAC# ?!
then a power chord would have to look like this:

D--3-----6--|
A--3---or---6--|
C#--4-----7--|

etc... !

[Nuums]

..ok that was wrong

meant to say:
= GDAC#.. F# C# G# C# makes more sense...

and a guitar-powerchord :

D---3-----6-----|
A---3----or---6-----|
C#--4-----7-----|

[Nuums]

....okay forget it, it ****s up

[shredder_01]

thanks for the tip dude! good to remember if my tuner isnt handy =D which it never is cause its in my effects pedal XD so thanks man

[Vman666]

ok...seriously...if anyone here cannot

CLIFF_BURTON wrote:

how do you tune your bass if your 4th string is out of tune, and you dont have a piano or guitar?

omg...cliff burton lives...

[Shadowfax357]

Whatever happened to drop A tuning. I'm trying to tune my bass for a Korn song, but I can't figure out drop A tuning.

[josh__bassman]

wow ther a lot didnt know koolies this webby rox

[rrimey]

GREAT!!!!!

[BlackWingFreak]

i think he screwed up the 5 string bass tunings.

[Mr.Glue]

F U C K U eragon2112 don't be uning my S H I T rock on that iz mine so find your own S H I T u stupid @SS MOTHER FUCKER F U C K U B I T C H F A G G O T

[Mr.Glue]

Ok I kinda get everything but I have a guitar/bass tuner and it has flats I know that no flats iz regular tuning E,A,D,G drop D iz two flats D,A,D,G and five flats iz B,E,A,D but what are one flat, three flats, and four flats called??? Does any one know???

[neophyte_05]

hEy cAn u pLz giVe mE tHe pEnTaToNiCs oF aLL tHe ChoRdZ..

[juggalohomie789]

hardcoreatheist wrote:

Thinking about it shouldnt they all be done using the 6th fret?
E string zero=E 1=Esharp 2=F 3=Fsharp 4=G 5=Gsharp 6=A
A string zero=A 1=Asharp 2=B 3=Bsharp 4=C 5=Csharp 6=D
D string zero=D 1=Dsharp 2=E 3=Esharp 4=F 5=Fsharp 6=G

there is no such note as e sharp or b sharp the interval between e and f is a half step and same with be tween b and c so it would be
Estring 0=E, 1=F, 2=F sharp/Gflat, 3=G, 4=G sharp/A flat, 5=A
Astring 0=A, 1=A sharp/ B flat, 2=B, 3=C, 4=C sharp/D flat
there u go thats what it should be read the bass lessons and read the columns on music theory

[juggalohomie789]

Shadowfax357 wrote:

Whatever happened to drop A tuning. I'm trying to tune my bass for a Korn song, but I can't figure out drop A tuning.

fieldy uses a 5 string and tunes down a whole step so instead of BEADG its ADGCF

[Mr.Glue]

DOES ANY ONE KNOW TUNING??? I know that standard on a bass tuner iz no flats (E,A,D,G) and five flats are low B (B,E,A,D) and I know that two flats are (D,-,-, somthin but what are 1,3,and4 flats called PLEEZ SOMEONE TELL ME!!!
If u can THNX!!!

[tiv0]

i still don't quite get it
what should the tuner read when the not is dopped down the 1/2 step?

[tiv0]

nevermind i got it

[punk_isntemo12]

aravind wrote:

good lesson. the guy who wrote this is sitting beside me in class

really?? hes good

[president_Uke]

Awesome, this actually makes sense! :P Thanks a bunch.
P.S
Is there a way of adding lessons to your favorites?

[rhcpblinknirvna]

pretty good arcticle. too bad i suck at the bass

[skandollz]

thAnk u soOoOoOOooo muCh,..8 reLi heLp me a Lot,...

[katieb13]

how do u tune to Eb Ab Db Gb ?
email: [e-mail]

[NadiaReed]

thanks this really helps!!!!! =)

[carrotcake]

Isn't there a tuning called C# standard where every string's tuned down 1 1/2 steps or is it just made up

[RaiLeff]

Great lesson!

[knell76]

can someone show me how you convert drop d and drop c to a 5 string bass or if you can do it?

[blink182182]

hey am making a website about bass i have only made 1 page but i wanna no what ppl think be4 i make more pages plz leave a message on my message board telling mw what u think
www.freewebs.com/howtoplaybass

[jongito]

i know how to drop D..but how do i drop C?does that mean i have to go down 4 frets in the 4th string?

[Wisse_90]

in my band the guitars are playing with a C# G# C# F# A# E# tuning. someone know how to tune my 5 string bass?

[Metalology]

A standard six string tuning is with the highest tuned to C, not B.

BEADGC

[Qwertyzeke]

CLIFF_BURTON wrote:

how do you tune your bass if your 4th string is out of tune, and you dont have a piano or guitar?

Go to www.tunemybass.com

It's great. Has quite a few bass tunings, including 5 and 6 string.

Or guitars, too. It's all good.

[Drezzdez]

Great one I can actually read

[ESPbassist92]

thx it helped me alot.