Tuning Your Guitar

One of the things I remember when I was starting to play was that I didn't sound as good as my friend's big brother. Not because he was a better player, even though he was... we were playing the same chords but mine sounded crummy! Why? Because my guitar was not perfectly tuned! I went home that day and really worked on tuning my guitar. To this day I use several different ways to tune. Once I got it perfectly tuned, wow! The chords came to life! This is especially true when you're playing electric guitar with distortion.

If you're not perfectly in tune, you're missing out on the whole experience. When the notes of a chord are played together, the result should be one full sound that stands on it's own. This is what happens when you are in perfect tune. There are two tools you can use when tuning your guitar. One is an electronic tuner, the other is your ear. Tuning by ear is far more important because you must be able to recognize different pitches in sound. This is essential to being a musician. Ear training takes time. Don't get discouraged because you can't tune by ear in a week. Your brain needs to get familiar with the notes in music. I want to share a few different ways to tune your guitar.

The first is the most standard. It entails matching the notes on the adjacent strings as follows:

6th string, 5th fret and 5th string open
5th string, 5th fret and 4th string open
4th string, 5th fret and 3rd string open
3rd string, 4th fret and 2nd string open
2nd string, 5th fret and 1st string open

In this method, you are matching the notes exactly to get the proper tuning. The notes are the same in pitch. If you're off on one of the strings, the rest of them will be out of tune also, so be careful. Another way to tune is by octaves. An octave is the interval between two notes with the same name. If you played the C major scale: C D E F G A B C, the two C's are one octave apart. You can tune with octaves as follows:

6th string open and 5th string, 7th fret 
5th string open and 4th string, 7th fret 
4th string open and 3rd string, 7th fret 
3rd string open and 2nd string, 8th fret 
2nd string open and 1st string, 7th fret

By now you're probably wondering, "What about the tuning of the 6th string?" Good point. When you tune the rest of the strings from the 6th, it's called "Relative Tuning." Although you may not be in tune with a piano, you will be in tune with yourself and that's fine for practicing. If you want to be in "Concert Pitch," you will either need to tune from another instrument or from a pitch pipe. I recommend that you get a pitch pipe. It's good for ear training and it's easier to carry around than a piano!

Yet another way that I will tune is by simply using chords. Once you know how they are supposed to sound, they become very handy in tuning. I prefer starting with E major, then I play a G major and tweak it a little if necessary. Then D major. All three are the open position chords at the top of the neck. I guarantee you'll be amazed at how great a perfectly tuned guitar will sound! After all, there is really no other alternative!

Comments

[SLASH SNAKEPIT]

yo stranger just buy a electronic tuner!!!!!!!
If u have some prob with tuning ya guitar?!

[SLASH SNAKEPIT]

I dont listen 2 that bullshit man
and I can tun ma guitar but thanx anyway
have ya post some tabs??????

[knightlaughalot]

I have an electric tuner but dunt noe how to use it.... i tune by ear...

[funkyredhot]

i want to tune my guitar in to this but I don't how to do it...can somebody help me?please

Eb G# C# F# Bb eb

[NOFXdescendents]

a guitar tuner is a great investment if you are just getting into playing. eventually tuning by ear can help if you just want to jam or octaves, as stated if you are the shit.

[sasha]

if you tune from a piano a lot( and i mean a lot) you will find that you will become in tune with it any way. a tip is just to tune your ears to a low E note and you can tune the rest from there. but this will take time, a lot of time!

[Vheox]

All this bickering and whining for what? Because you can't learn how to tune a guitar in 5 minutes? I've been trying for 2 weeks and I still can't tune very well. I'm pretty sure that EVERYTHING even remotely related with guitar follows the same pattern: lots and lots of practice, and then some, followed by some more... well you get the point.

[Milo is dead]

Whatever, like a beginner is gonna know what it's all around

[Milo is dead]

Whatever, like a beginner is gonna know what it's all about

[Tijmen]

The standard way of tuning does not work. When you actually press the 5th fret the note will be slightly higher, because you are holding it down. This is a minimal effect but after tuning all strings relatively to each other, the low E and the high E are very much off.

[BleedingMetal]

this is a lie i learn nothing from this

[Fenix_Lee]

Sorri... But i still dun understand ...

[excitable1]

its easy..the #6 string is the big fat one .
press the #6 string at the 5th fret .strum the #6 and 5 strings .
if its electric the strings will sound similar. if they sound different turn the tuning knob till it sounds right.
its not as difficult as you think, but can be a pain till you know whats right.
as for the 6th string not knowing if its tuned...just strum it till you think it sounds right then tune your other strings to match it

[Dismay]

just go buy a tuner for 20 bucks for those who cant get it by ear!!! it took me a while to learn by ear!

[RiffMann6794]

why bother with tuners!!! you tone deaf Jimi Hendrix clones....! and no one should buy into all that 5th fret open string crap,... everyone should use HARMONICS!!! heeellooo!!!... 5th fret and 7th fret HARMONICS,... will actually usually put you in better tune than an electric auto tuner... i hate all you macaroni kids...

[jubedude]

or you can tune it by a properly tuned piano

[agracer]

SHUT UP "RiffMann6794"

[Fenix_Lee]

Oh yah ... Hmmm .... Ijuz discover that i'm a little tone deaf ... What can i do ?? Can give me some advice ? PM me .. Or add me to your MSN contact: [e-mail]



Thank you ....
May the force be with you ...

[darkgriffin]

Hey, I found a cool way to tune. I don't own a piano and I really don't have a cash for a tuner right now. I found that I had a MIDI keyboard on my computer. I just turn the speakers up and let that ring a nice E and just tune from there. A good tip for those of you who are tone deaf. I suggest turning the dial of the string that you're tuning counter-clock wise (this will lower the pitch dramatically). Then, hit the piano and string you're tuning to then quickly turn back the screw while they both ring. You will more than likely start hearing the clash and waves. You main objective is to get rid of that clash.

[imbrued]

why the hell would you play guitar if you're tone deaf?!

p.s. i tried using the
6th string, 5th fret and 5th string open
5th string, 5th fret and 4th string open
4th string, 5th fret and 3rd string open
3rd string, 4th fret and 2nd string open
2nd string, 5th fret and 1st string open

technique and my guitar is still out of wack

[blueroseguitar]

is there somewhere I can go that will help me listen to the sounds and tune my guitar that way....somewhere where I can hear the E?

nsi blueroseguitar

[blueroseguitar]

I found this site that will play the sound for you...

http://www.drea
dscott.com/Guitar.html



and you can download it off of the site....so you can tune your guitar offline too.

Bluerose

[diesel_bass]

For those who can't understand words on 6th String, 5th fret, 5th string Open: try this:

First try to tune in E as best as possible then do this...pretend it?s a tab...and fiddle with each tuning peg and when each string is in tune both notes should sound the same...that is previous string 5th fret and tuned string open...

TO TUNE 'A' String
e -------------------------
--
B -------------------------
--
G -------------------------
--
D -------------------------
--
A --------------0----------
--
E --------------5----------
--

TO TUNE 'D' String
e -------------------------
--
B -------------------------
--
G -------------------------
--
D --------------0----------
--
A --------------5----------
--
E -------------------------
--

TO TUNE 'G' String
e -------------
B -------------------------
--
G --------------0----------
--
D --------------5----------
--
A -------------------------
--
E -------------------------
--

TO TUNE 'B' String
e -------------------------
--
B --------------0----------
--
G --------------5----------
--
D -------------------------
--
A -------------------------
--
E -------------------------
--

TO TUNE 'e' String
e --------------0----------
--
B --------------5----------
--
G -------------------------
--
D -------------------------
--
A -------------------------
--
E -------------------------
--

That is 5th fret and open tuning diagrammatically
Hope it works for you all...it should if you get E into tune properly...hope it?s not too complicated

[chaz man]

Hey diesel_bass the way you showed how to tune the B string is wrong. Your should finger on the fourth fret and not the fifth.

[diesel_bass]

ive always done it on the fifth and my guitar is perfectly tuned

[chris_munday321]

i have wasted my life

[bebop268170]

How do I tune e without buying anything?

[diesel_bass]

are you completely blind???? do you not understnad what i posted??? if not then u dont deserve to be near a guitar and sorry chaz_man....i was wrong...it is the 4th fret not 5th.

TO TUNE 'B' String
e -------------------------

--
B --------------0----------

--
G --------------4----------

--
D -------------------------

--
A -------------------------

--
E -------------------------

--

[Squier_Bullet_7]

i started playign guitar about 1 month ago liek reallyt actually started.....and about 3 days ago i bought a book um i unno and its teaching me liek how to read music not tabs but stuff like

E = e--3-----

and im having trouble remembering wut they are............any ideas on helping me?

[slickwilli-77]

Squier_Bullet_7 you should really brush up on what you learned in english class. before you learn how to read music, but good luck anyway. I would help you If I had a clue myself. I started to learn how to read sheet music a while back but I'll be damned if I remember how to do it now. I think its better to just play it by ear and if a little help from a tab is needed then ...well.

[TheAxeAbuser]

PS: i think harmonics is the easiest way and most spot on way to tune. but if u cant tune by harmonics, an electric tuner is a good and easy way to tune!
good luck playing to all!(u all probably knew what i just said allready but i told you anyway!
:P

[skatersic666]

Hey any of you know how to drop b tune?

If you do mail it to me at [e-mail]

[numbfinger]

i found mp3's you can download so you guys can mimic the sounds i cant rember the site but search for guitar lessions tuning mp3

[kookai]

the 5th fret 6th string 5th open crap works, though its not explained that well, unless your super ultra pro will you then need to actually care about your guitar being perfectly in tune. just as long as it sounds like the first string is going up a step perfectly then your fine. your screwed if your deaf. nuff said

[Magan]

Hey I need help learning how to read my electric built in tuner plz help me u can i/m me onaim at maganicole or on yahoo messenger as upsidedown_duck_69

[galtpirate]

how do u tune down a half step

[U.F.O]

I understand this as laast! but it wont take minutes to tune my crap acoustic guitar! but the electric guitar is perfectley tuned though!
my e-mail is : [e-mail]
quite long but who cares?!marry x-mas everyone!

[fresh]

For everyone who does not understand how to tune a guitar go buy an electric tuner its fast and good enough for practicing until you can learn to tune by ear.

[slipknotrox09]

my tuner doesent have F on it how do i tune my 3rd string to that

[5t0n3r]

im new to this.. i have a tuner.. i plug it in, i strum the 6th and a little electronic pointer moves.. HELP!! i mean it to.. can some one draw somthing on paint about what to do..whats a ***ing flat anyways. yeah.. somone help, send info at [e-mail] CHEERS

[clone_war01]

a flat means the tune is a half step lower than the natural sign (it's the sign that looks like a chair.. if you don't know what a natural sign is..) a sharp (pound) sign means that the tone is higher so you have to loosen the string.

rock on guys!

[quarter_note]

to the people who don't understand the 6th and 5th open thing: PRESS the 6th string IN the 5th fret, then PLUCK the both strings correspondingly... they should have the same tune and if not, turn the 5th string peg until you get the same tune... do the same in the other strings: follow the lesson...

[PandaMaster]

If you dont know what a fret or an open is. You might as well put your guitar down, read the BASICS and then come back here.

[GuitarDude5]

how the *** do u drop c tune

[dannytribe]

i wanna no how u drop b tune

spam deleted

There's a tuning thread in the Guitar & Bass Basics Forum. If you have questions feel free to visit!

[deathndesires]

Thanks for the tip. The first one I got >.> and tuned my acoustic to it (XD complete beginner, 1st day) but the one with the Octaves was a bit confusing so I didn't try that.. >.> it took me over 10 minutes tuning it but it was fun. .> then base that one off others.. I found it easier to tune that string by ear than the 6th string. How? 5th string 3rd Fret would be Do, 5th Fret would be Re, 7th Fret would be Mi, I'm not sure if it will help others, but that was easiest for me because I know how Do Re Mi sounds like >.> sing the song.. :P

[deathndesires]

Oh dear.. I think i did a > and a < which kind of killed one line in the comment.
Tip: Tune the 5th string first("A") then use that and what was stated in the first way. (Now read from How? on the comment above this.)
Tuning to this lesson (the first non-Octave one) will be as what many people including quarter-note said. Just press on the tuned string (on the 5th Fret or the 4th Fret for "B") to tune the one after it. Ie.Press the 5th (or "A") string on the 5th Fret to and pluck it. Then pluck the 4th (or "D") string without pressing a finger anywhere and tune that according to the 5th fret 5th string.. I hope that wasn't confusing...

[Festive Cow]

There are alot of stupid people posting "comments" here. You say why waste time tuning by ear, and get a tuner,well this is what I say to that, what happenes when you lose that tuner you tone def morons? When I started learning about 7 months ago, I didnt have a tuner all I had was a pitch pipe and my dad(even better then an electric tuner). I got my dad to tune the guitar until I started getting better at tuning by ear. Now and 7 months I can almost perfectly tune my guitar. And By the way, how can you not understand this? My dog almost gets it.

[SOLO]

I think that most of what people dont understand with the tuning process demonstrated, is that u have to get the big fat string tune perfect already. So u either gotta know what the note E sounds like, or go to a piano or somthing. Then u can go follow the 6th string, 5th fret instructions. And stop yelling about getting an electric tuner, dont u think you look more pro for the ladies if u can just grab a guitar, tune it in front of them, then start playing? Thats called ladying

[Fadri]

man, what am i doin' here?!!
lucky me, i learned how to t une my guitar even before i can play decently

[Fadri]

what the?!! i know how to tune even before i can play decently

[Fadri]

does tuning orks work too??

[Fadri]

*tuning forks

[Fadri]

man, what am i doin' here?!!
lucky me, i learned how to t une my guitar even before i can play decently

[ViTaMiNR]

Perfect tab!!! Helped alot ty!

[Darkdeviless]

Tuning by ear is way betta, u don't have 2 rely on an electronic thing, it's a good skill 2 have

[lordshaun]

im gonna try this... hopefully it works!

[Bo_Bo_Bob]

some of u ppl r dumb... some begginers might b in band or something they prolly know more about pitches and stuff then we do

[Bo_Bo_Bob]

some of u ppl r dumb... some of these "begginers
" might be in band or somethind and know more than we do about pitches and stuff

[Bo_Bo_Bob]

some of u ppl r dumb... some begginers might b in band or something they prolly know more about pitches and stuff then we do

[Bo_Bo_Bob]

hehe fun fun

[Bo_Bo_Bob]

SOLO wrote:

I think that most of what people dont understand with the tuning process demonstrated, is that u have to get the big fat string tune perfect already. So u either gotta know what the note E sounds like, or go to a piano or somthing. Then u can go follow the 6th string, 5th fret instructions. And stop yelling about getting an electric tuner, dont u think you look more pro for the ladies if u can just grab a guitar, tune it in front of them, then start playing? Thats called ladying

lol nice

[Guitar_psyho]

Yes...that is true ladies sure like to look at you sitting on the sofa plucking same strings over and over again. If u take this guys advice dont be suprised if all the ladies suddenly have to go somewhere. Offcourse every real guitarist needs to know how to tune his guitar by ear, but i'm pritty shure that the electronic thingy works better with the ladies.

[bigEsmalls]

ok all of the shit i find for tuning dont help me i have a bass not a elec how is tuning for an elec going to tune my damn bass??? i have a 4 string bass high to low... d, g, a, e.... ok how do i make it so its like that??? cause its not close

[evilpunk]

how do i tune my guitar in DbAbDbGbBb and Eb ??:|

[SooUnreal]

tuning by ear is the best way, here is your starting point in learning it..

[jccool9876]

yup.. u need 2 learn how 2 tune by ear because it saves money... yes money. i have one electric tuner and two guitars and to this day ive only used it twice, to tune my electric when it was new and to tune my acoustic when it was new... never used it since

[ZaM ZaM RoCkeRz]

Hmmm.... quite a good one for beginners.... Thans for the great lesson... cheers...

[SgSurpreme]

Ok i have a question ever tiome i tune my top E string it seems to go flat as soon as you strum it how can i fix that... ?

[hairi69]

can somebody tells me how to tune 1/2 step down tuning?

[Tedward]

this isnt really tuning or anything but when you play a lower string on 5th fret harmonic and a 1 higher string on 7th fret as a harmonic you can tell when the strings are almost perfect when the sound almost exactly the same.

[crazy banana]

I want to learn how to tune in drop D.. I can't figure it out

[Killswitch_77]

i got a electric tuner but i only kno how to tune it to standard. is there a way to use the tuner to get to drop C, drop D etc.??

[metica]

slash snakpit has a bad aditude, but this is helpful thanks to the author

[Scarlatti]

Just buy an tuner... You can get one from 20 euros... I've tried to tune it by ear, and it didn't sound even like the way i tune with my elektric tuner

[AlabastyrGlyttr]

Very useful one small correction at the top it says
6th string, 5th fret and 5th string open, it's actually 6th string, 4th fret and 5th string open. At least that's how it works on my guitar.

[kandy2314]

Um to bad this lesson sucks, Its supposed to be
e-----0----
b-----0---5----
g-----0---4-----
d-----0--5-----
a-----0---5-----
E-----5-----

For all who were wondering how to tune your guitar WITHOUT a tuner incase you ran out of batteries, camping and wanted to play guitar but it was out of tune... This is how you would tune it the cheese way even though the whole thing could be out of tune, at lease you could play.

[kandy2314]

sorry guys for the tab mess up its supposed to be
1st string fifth fret played with 2nd string open
2nd string fifth fret played with 3rd string open
3rd string fifth fret played with 4th string open
4th string fourth fret played with 5th string open
5st string fifth fret played with 6nd string open

kandy2314 wrote:

Um to bad this lesson sucks, Its supposed to be
e-----0----
b-----0---5----
g-----0---4-----
d-----0--5-----
a-----0---5-----
E-----5-----

For all who were wondering how to tune your guitar WITHOUT a tuner incase you ran out of batteries, camping and wanted to play guitar but it was out of tune... This is how you would tune it the cheese way even though the whole thing could be out of tune, at lease you could play.

[trueguitarhero]

anyone who can't get this is a complete retard. it works. i checked it with my friend electric tuner

[leon92]

i want to tune my elektric guitar and i bought a tuner but my strings are touching the freds without touching them:S:S:S
p.s i am dutch and my english isn't good

[leon92]

and i know the string names

[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,-,-,-,) or somthin but what are 1,3,and4 flats called PLEEZ SOMEONE TELL ME!!!If u can THNX!!!

[darkfenix]

ok if you need to know what the note is when you add another flat remember this....music notes chromatically (every half step) are as follows starting with C:

C, D flat or C sharp, D, E flat or D sharp, E, F, G flat or F sharp, G, A flat or G sharp, A, B flat or a Sharp, B, C

that's your standard C chromatic scale...so if you need to know what a note is when you add a nother flat, find your note on that scale and go one backwards...should be simple enough...

you just need to keep in mind how many steps you are going down with all of them and the chromatic scale should let you know what each string should be tuned to.

let me know if you have more questions.

[darkenedcries]

Lol, i cheat. I have an auto tuner (i just learned how to use lol)

[drumstixbb]

Once diesel_bass made the correction to the B string, his explanation of tuning was the best I've seen printed so far. When the strings are in tune, there should be no "vabrato" sound, it should be smooth sounding, like one note.

[drumstixbb]

correction: vibrato

[Ferinos]

Wow, talk about encouragement for beginners, jeeze this is enough to put me off guitar. Fortunately I am learning a guy and not from this site, or yeah, these comments would make me think screw this. You might wanna be just a tad more encouraging, then a lot more peeps might actually be willing to learn guitar.

[RMTom]

I wouldn't call using an electronic or onboard tuner "cheating"...

If you're going to play with other people, then the tuner presents an objective standard that everyone can tune to, and that makes things easier all around. If you're on stage, especially in a loud environment, you're going to want to switch your guitar offline and tune between songs to make sure you'er always dead-on. And personally, in the old days when I was pushing cases and pulling cables for second and third rate metal bands all over creation, you can bet I depended on an electronic tuner when I was replacing strings on the fly on the side of the stage (sometimes ON the stage, haha).

If you're all alone, playing peace songs on your 60s Martin D-35 under a tree, then fine - let the tuning harmonics ring. But otherwise, why worry about something so simple?

[Kmos]

what does "E" string sound like beafore tuning :S

some 1 told me it had to sound like the F@K1Ng phone bip -_-

i just cant believe that "RIGHT"


oh well just this stuppp id question but i will actualy help

tnk

[Kmos]

IT will actualy help (my bad)

[Scarlatti]

Festive Cow wrote:

There are alot of stupid people posting "comments" here. You say why waste time tuning by ear, and get a tuner,well this is what I say to that, what happenes when you lose that tuner you tone def morons? When I started learning about 7 months ago, I didnt have a tuner all I had was a pitch pipe and my dad(even better then an electric tuner). I got my dad to tune the guitar until I started getting better at tuning by ear. Now and 7 months I can almost perfectly tune my guitar. And By the way, how can you not understand this? My dog almost gets it.

Well said. These comments made me laugh, someone even said this was a lie?
Anyways. This guy has a point, you might lose your tuner, and you'll won't be able to play your guitar untill you have a new tuner.
By the way. Nice lesson.

I would reccomend you all to leave your tuner behind, and start tuning by ear.

[Scarlatti]

Scarlatti wrote:

Just buy an tuner... You can get one from 20 euros... I've tried to tune it by ear, and it didn't sound even like the way i tune with my elektric tuner

After 9 months of playing, I slap myself for the head for saying that....
Nowaways, I reccomend everyone to tune by ear, and nice lesson btw. Although, I prefer tuning with harmonics.

[woobow]

wow everyone chill out. i tune by ear because i can' be bothered gettin an electric one. and if im playing with people we all just tune our intruments to 1 persons open E. if that makes sense.

[fonfon321]

if you have a microphone there are new free sites that will do tuning like http://www.aguitartuner.com. even tunings like Eb G# C# F# Bb Eb that someone asked about are possible, it will tune to any note

[Wolfer0624]

I'm retraining myself on the guitar, and I never knew about the octave way of tuning into standard. Very nice man, thanks!!

[theberzerker!!!]

veryone that is so cheap they can't be bothered to buy anything to help such as a tuning fork or elctric tuner just type in online guitar tuner into google and some websites ill have audio files which play the strings open

[RedX12]

i dont understand

[MonteCristo]

If you want to tune your guitar then download this Tuner [url=http://www.akordite.com/component/option,com_docman/tas k,doc_download/gid,1/Itemid,34/]AP Guitar Tuner[/url].Wait a little while the instal wizard begin.If you have accoustic guitar tune it by microphone.If you have electric gutar put the cable in Line In and tune.That's all!!

[Drome371]

Guys, it's easy! Just take any other instrument and play an "E", and you can tune the other strings from there. And for those of you who don't know the notes of each open string, it goes like this:
e
B
G
D
A
E
It's easy enough for me though, because I play violin in an orchestra at school, and because the open strings are G,D,A, and E, I can tune almost pitch-perfect. But I understand that for some people, it takes practice. And, I recommend rather than using the 5th fret method, you should just tune each open string based on the notes above, because my guitar is tuned almost perfectly and the 5th fret on the low "E" is a little bit off from the open "A".

[Drome371]

Also, if you go to school and have some type of music class, just ask the music teacher, and they can help you out.

[Guitar Hero X]

Wow,sounds so complicated...personally,i tune my guitar by playin the notes on my piano and try to tune the strings in the same pitch

[D-man89]

ok so this is driving me nuts, how the hell do i get my guitar into drop b tuning