Standard tuning: E A D G B E
| String | Note | Pitch | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (thickest) | Low E | E2 | 82.41 Hz |
| 5th | A | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 4th | D | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 3rd | G | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 2nd | B | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | High E | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
How to tune a guitar with a tuner
- Clip a tuner to the headstock or open a tuner app near the guitar.
- Pick the low E string and let it ring.
- If the tuner shows the note is flat (too low), tighten the string with its tuning peg; if it is sharp (too high), loosen it.
- Always tune up to the note. If you go past it, drop below and come back up, so the string holds its pitch.
- Repeat for every string, then check all six again: changing one string slightly changes the tension on the others.
How to tune a guitar by ear: the 5th fret method
If one string is in tune, you can tune the others to it.
- Press the low E string at the 5th fret. This is A: tune the open A string to match it.
- Press the A string at the 5th fret (D) and tune the open D string to it.
- Press the D string at the 5th fret (G) and tune the open G string.
- Press the G string at the 4th fret (B) and tune the open B string. This is the one exception.
- Press the B string at the 5th fret (E) and tune the open high E string.
Listen for a wobble (beating) between the two notes. It slows down and disappears as they match.
Why a guitar goes out of tune
- New strings keep stretching for the first few days.
- Changes in temperature and humidity.
- Pressing too hard on the frets bends notes sharp.
Alternate tunings
- Drop D (D A D G B E): lower only the low E string a whole step to D, until it sounds one octave below the open D string. Great for heavy riffs.
- Half step down (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭): every string lowered by one semitone, common in rock.