How to tune the guitar
Standard tuning, how to tune with a tuner or by ear, and why you should always tune up to the note.
Essential
Content under musical review. It may contain inaccuracies.
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Standard tuning, how to tune with a tuner or by ear, and why you should always tune up to the note.
Essential
An out-of-tune guitar makes everything sound wrong, even when you play well. Standard tuning, from the 6th string (lowest) to the 1st (highest), is E, A, D, G, B and E. Neighbouring strings are a perfect fourth apart, except the 3rd and 2nd strings, which are a major third apart.
The six strings in tune:
This is what two matching notes sound like. When they're slightly out you hear beating, a wobble that slows down as they get closer:
The fifth-fret method uses unisons: a fretted string gives the same note as the next open string.
Step 1 of 5 · 6th to 5th
String 6, Fret 5: A2 · 1 · Root
Use the tuner with your microphone or a pickup. Play one string, let it ring and turn the peg until the needle is centred:
Open the tuner Reference tones for tuning by earA few habits make a big difference:
Touch the string lightly right above the fret without pressing and you get a harmonic. The 5th-fret harmonic on the 6th string and the 7th-fret harmonic on the 5th string give the same note (E4): compare them and listen for beating. The 7th-fret harmonic on the 6th string matches the open 2nd string. Because harmonics form pure, untempered intervals, the result is off by a few cents: always finish with the tuner or by comparing fretted octaves.
A tuner measures in cents: 100 cents make a semitone. The usual reference is A4 = 440 Hz. If the open strings are in tune but chords high up the neck sound wrong, check the intonation: compare the 12th-fret harmonic with the note fretted at the 12th fret. If the fretted note is sharp, the saddle needs to move away from the neck; if it's flat, towards it. On an electric there's one screw per string; if you've never done it, ask a technician.