Learning to tune your guitar is one of the most fundamental skills every guitarist must master. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your tuning technique, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Guitar tuning is the process of adjusting the tension of your guitar strings to achieve the correct pitch for each string. When a guitar is properly tuned, each string vibrates at a specific frequency that corresponds to a musical note.
A properly tuned guitar ensures that chords sound harmonious and pleasant, your playing sounds in tune with other instruments, you develop a good ear for pitch and harmony, and your practice sessions become more productive and enjoyable. Without proper tuning, even the most skilled playing will sound off and discordant.
The most common guitar tuning is called "standard tuning." From the thickest string (6th string) to the thinnest string (1st string), the notes are E-A-D-G-B-E. The 6th string produces a low E, while the 1st string produces a high E, exactly two octaves higher.
6th String (Thickest): E (Low E)
5th String: A
4th String: D
3rd String: G
2nd String: B
1st String (Thinnest): E (High E)
A helpful mnemonic to remember this is "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" or "Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually." These phrases help beginners memorize the string names from thickest to thinnest.
Each guitar string, when properly tuned, vibrates at a specific frequency measured in Hertz (Hz). The low E string vibrates at 82.41 Hz, while the A string resonates at 110.00 Hz. Moving up, the D string produces 146.83 Hz, the G string 196.00 Hz, the B string 246.94 Hz, and finally the high E string vibrates at 329.63 Hz.
Understanding these frequencies helps you recognize when strings are in tune, whether you're using an electronic tuner or tuning by ear. Even small deviations from these target frequencies can be noticeable, especially when playing chords where multiple strings interact harmonically.
Electronic tuners are the most accurate and beginner-friendly option. They work by detecting the frequency of your guitar string through a microphone or direct input, comparing it to the target frequency, and showing you whether the string is sharp (too high), flat (too low), or perfectly in tune.
Our online guitar tuner works exactly like this. Simply play a string and watch the visual display to see if you need to tighten (sharpen) or loosen (flatten) the string. The visual feedback makes it easy to achieve precise tuning even for complete beginners.
Once you have one string in tune (usually the low E), you can tune the other strings relative to it using a method called relative tuning. This technique involves pressing specific frets on tuned strings to create reference pitches for the adjacent strings.
To tune the A string, press the 5th fret of the E string and match the open A string to this note. For the D string, press the 5th fret of the A string and tune the open D to match. Continue this pattern: 5th fret of D matches open G, but here's the exception - press the 4th fret of the G string to match the open B string, then return to the 5th fret of B to match the high E string.
Advanced players often use harmonics to tune, which involves lightly touching the string at specific frets to create bell-like tones that can be compared between strings. This method produces pure, clear reference tones that make precise tuning easier, though it requires more developed ear training to execute effectively.
The tuning pegs (also called machine heads) are located on the headstock of your guitar and control string tension. Tightening the pegs by turning them clockwise on most guitars raises the pitch and makes the string sharper. Conversely, loosening the pegs by turning counter-clockwise lowers the pitch and makes the string flatter.
Always tune up to the note rather than down. If a string is sharp, tune it down below the target note, then tune up to the correct pitch. This technique helps prevent the string from going flat quickly and ensures more stable tuning over time.
New strings need time to stretch and settle into their proper tension, so expect to retune frequently during the first few days after changing strings. Worn tuning pegs may also slip and cause tuning instability. Additionally, temperature changes cause strings to expand and contract, affecting their pitch, so some retuning is normal when moving between different environments.
Buzzing sounds often indicate that the action (string height) is too low, causing strings to contact the frets inappropriately. This might require professional adjustment of the bridge or nut. Alternatively, the frets themselves may need leveling, or the strings might be worn and in need of replacement.
Developing good tuning habits will improve your overall musical experience. Check your tuning before every practice session, as guitars naturally drift out of tune over time. Tune in your normal playing position, since sitting versus standing can slightly affect string tension. Fresh strings hold tuning better than old ones, so replace them regularly for the best results.
Be gentle when turning tuning pegs to avoid breaking strings, and if fretted notes don't match open strings at higher positions, you may need a professional setup to correct the guitar's intonation. Remember that tuning is a skill that improves with practice, so be patient as your ear develops.
Now that you understand the basics of guitar tuning, it's time to put this knowledge into practice! Regular tuning practice will train your ear and improve your overall musicianship, making you a more confident and capable guitarist.
Next: Ready to dive deeper? Check out our guide on Standard Guitar Tuning: EADGBE Explained