Online Guitar Tuner

How to tune a Guitar?

Standard Guitar Tuning

The first step in playing the Guitar is to tune the Guitar properly. You will never be able to get the melody if the Guitar is not tuned properly. In fact it will be frustrating as a beginner player if you are not able to get the exact note. Don't worry we have got you covered and you have everything here and you will learn how to tune a Guitar.

There are many kinds of tuning, but the most commonly used one is called as standard tuning. Notes from the thinnest to thickest string if you pluck the open strings are EBGDAE.

Room temperature, humidity, regular playing etc. affects Guitar tuning. So remember to tune your Guitar every time before you start to practising and regularly even while practising.

Standard Guitar Tuning in 3 simple steps

Using Guitar Tuner

Learn the open string notes - EBGDAE

String 1: E (Thinnest)
String 2: B
String 3: G
String 4: D
String 5: A
String 6: E (Thickest)

Tuning

Use a pick or your thumb to play each string firmly - not too hard or soft.
Use a Guitar tuner to get the right notes

Adjust the tuning peg

If the note is high tune flat (towards you).
If the note is low tune sharp (away from you).

Method 2

Standard Guitar Tuning

Using an Electronic Guitar Tuner

There are many types of Guitar tuners available in the market. You can also download a Guitar tuner app in your mobile. Some Guitars have Guitar tuners embedded on the body. Set up your Guitar tuner at 440 Hz and start by plucking the top string, Use your fingers or a pick. Whatever you prefer is fine, but a pick will result in a more accurate reading on the tuner.

As you pluck the string, look at the tuner. It should be displaying the note being played. When the scale indicator is in the centre, then the string is tuned to the note displayed.

So, the basic method is to adjust each string to the correct note by plucking it over and over while watching the tuner. The string is adjusted using the tuning peg.

Pluck the top string over and over, and adjust the corresponding tuning peg until the sting is tuned to E note. If a string is sharp, tune it well below the desired note, then tune up to the note. This will ensure that the strings are always tightly stretched. Repeat this process for rest of the strings.

How to tune a Guitar without Guitar tuner?

Tuning using ears

This is an old fashioned way, but most of the professional Guitarists are adept in tuning the Guitar using the ear. This comes with lot of practise and experience, so if you are a beginner this method will be daunting.

Relative Tuning Process

E note (First or thinnest String) - also referred as high E
This technique requires that the first or the sixth string is tuned to E note (either the thinnest or thickest string). You can get this note from Piano, keyboard or another instrument which is properly tuned.
B note (Second String)
Once the thinnest string is tuned to E, pluck the E note and make sure the fifth note or E note in the second string (fourth fret) also sounds the same.
G note (Third String)
Pluck the B note (open second string) and make sure the fourth note or B note in the third string (fifth fret) also sounds the same.
D note (Fourth String)
Pluck the G note (open third string) and make sure the fifth note or G note in the fourth string (fifth fret) also sounds the same.
A note (Fifth String)
Pluck the D note (open fourth string) and make sure the fifth note or D note in the fifth string (fifth fret) also sounds the same.
E note (Sixth or the thickest string) - also referred as low E
Pluck the A note (open fifth string) and make sure the fifth note or A note in the sixth string (fifth fret) also sounds the same.

Once you have tuned all the string play a few chords or solo pieces and check if it sounds right. In the beginning it will be difficult to tell the difference but with practise and experience your ear will develop and you will be able to tune your Guitar like a pro.

The science behind Guitar tuning

When you pluck or strum the Guitar strings, they start vibrating. This sets surround air molecules into vibrational motion. The frequency at which these air molecules vibrate is equal to the frequency of vibration of the Guitar string. Unit of measurement of frequency is Hertz (Hz).

The chart shows the string frequencies of standard tuning. Standard tuning is Guitar is tuned as EBGDAE (thinnest to thickest string) on the pitch standard A440, which is 440 Hz frequency. This is the standard which most Guitarists use in the recording studios.