Learning to tune your guitar is a foundational skill for any aspiring guitarist. An out-of-tune guitar simply won’t sound right, no matter how well you play. This guide will walk you through the essential steps of Tuning Guitar Strings, whether you’re using an electronic tuner or training your ear. We’ll cover identifying guitar string notes, different tuning methods, and tips to keep your guitar sounding its best for longer. Consistent practice is key to musical progress, and starting with a properly tuned guitar makes every practice session more enjoyable and rewarding.
Understanding the Basics of Guitar Tuning
Guitar tuning is achieved by adjusting the tuning pegs located on the guitar’s headstock. These pegs control the tension of the strings. Guitar tuning works by tightening a string to raise its pitch or loosening it to lower the pitch. Think of it like this: tighter strings vibrate faster, resulting in a higher sound, and looser strings vibrate slower, creating a lower sound.
How Often Should You Tune Your Guitar?
You should make it a habit to tune your guitar every single time you pick it up to play. Don’t expect your guitar to hold its tuning perfectly between sessions. Playing itself, especially techniques like string bending or extended practice times, can cause a guitar to drift out of tune. It’s wise to periodically check your guitar tuning even while you are playing. If you’re playing a chord and it sounds dissonant or “off,” even though you’re confident in your finger placement, it’s likely time for a quick tune-up.
Guitar Tuning Pegs on Headstock
Methods for Tuning Your Guitar Strings
Modern technology offers convenient electronic tuners, making guitar tuning faster and more precise than ever before. However, learning to tune by ear using a reference note is also a valuable skill. Let’s explore both methods.
Tuning with a Chromatic or Pitch Tuner
Clip-on electronic tuners have revolutionized the world of guitar tuning. Unlike older plug-in models, these tuners attach directly to your guitar’s headstock and detect string vibrations. They clearly indicate whether a string is “flat” (too low), “sharp” (too high), or perfectly in tune. These tuners are incredibly versatile, working equally well for both acoustic and electric guitars. They are affordable, accurate, and an incredibly user-friendly tool for ensuring your guitar tuning is spot on. Many beginner guitar amplifiers even come equipped with built-in tuners for added convenience.
Tuning Your Guitar Without a Tuner
If you find yourself needing to tune your guitar and don’t have a dedicated tuner on hand, don’t worry! Many musicians encounter situations where they need to perform guitar tuning without a tuner, whether on the go or in a pinch.
Thankfully, a plethora of tuner apps are available for smartphones and tablets, many of which are free. These apps utilize your device’s microphone to analyze the pitch of your guitar strings, providing an accessible and effective way to tune your guitar. As you adjust the tuning pegs and alter the string’s pitch, the app’s display will visually guide you until you reach perfect tuning.
Another method for guitar tuning without a dedicated tuner is to use a reference pitch from another instrument, such as a piano or another guitar that you know is correctly tuned.
This technique requires a bit more ear training as you need to match one of your guitar strings to the reference pitch “by ear.” This involves listening intently to the reference note, playing the corresponding note on your guitar string, and carefully comparing the two pitches. Adjust your guitar string’s pitch until it precisely matches the reference. Once you have one string accurately tuned, you can then tune the remaining guitar string notes by using fretted notes on already-tuned strings as your reference points. We’ll delve into this “by ear” method in more detail shortly.
Identifying Guitar String Names & Notes: EADGBE
A standard guitar has six strings. When listed from the thickest (lowest pitch) to the thinnest (highest pitch), the guitar string notes in standard tuning are E, A, D, G, B, and E.
Guitar String Notes EADGBE
To help you memorize these guitar string names, there are several common mnemonics. Popular phrases include: “Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie” or “Eat Apple Danish Good Bye Emma.” The 1st string is the thinnest, highest-pitched E string, and the 6th string is the thickest, lowest-pitched E string.
Mnemonic for Guitar String Names
Beyond standard tuning, there’s a world of alternate guitar tunings to explore, each offering unique sonic possibilities. Experimenting with these tunings can open up new creative avenues for your playing.
Step-by-Step Guitar String Tuning Guide
Let’s break down the process of tuning each guitar string note in standard tuning. We’ll use the method of tuning one string to a reference and then tuning the rest of the guitar relative to that first string.
Tuning Your Low E String (6th String)
If you have a reference pitch (from a tuner, piano, or tuning fork), start by tuning your low E string, which is the thickest string. If you don’t have an external reference, you can find an E note by playing the 7th fret of the A string (5th string). This fretted note will produce an E.
Tuning the 6th String (Low E)
Play your reference E note and then play your open low E string. Listen carefully and compare the pitches. If your guitar string’s pitch is lower than the reference, slowly tighten the tuning peg to raise the pitch. If it’s higher, loosen the peg to lower the pitch. Keep adjusting and comparing until your low E string matches the reference E note.
Tuning the 5th String (A String)
Once your low E string is in tune, you can use it to tune the A string. Play the 5th fret of the low E string. This fretted note is an A. Now, play your open A string. Adjust the tuning peg of the A string until its pitch matches the A note you’re hearing from the 5th fret of the E string.
Tuning the 4th String (D String)
Next, to tune the D string, play the 5th fret of the A string. This is a D note. Play your open D string and adjust its tuning peg until it matches the D note from the 5th fret of the A string.
Tuning the 3rd String (G String)
To tune the G string, play the 5th fret of the D string. This produces a G note. Play your open G string and adjust its tuning peg until it matches the G note from the 5th fret of the D string.
Tuning the 2nd String (B String)
Here’s a slight variation. To tune the B string, play the 4th fret of the G string. This fretted note is a B. Now, play your open B string and adjust its tuning peg until it matches the B note from the 4th fret of the G string. Note the change to the 4th fret for this string.
Tuning the 1st String (High E String)
Finally, to tune the high E string (the thinnest string), play the 5th fret of the B string. This is an E note. Play your open high E string and adjust its tuning peg until it matches the E note from the 5th fret of the B string.
After tuning all six strings, it’s a good practice to go back and check the tuning of each string again, as adjusting one string can sometimes slightly affect the tuning of others.
Once you’ve mastered tuning each guitar string name, you’ll be ready to explore reading guitar tabs and start learning your favorite songs!
Guitar Summer Camps
School of Rock summer music camps offer an immersive and fun way to learn how to tune a guitar and play your favorite songs with a band. Our workshops, ranging from songwriting to developing stage presence, are designed for students of all skill levels.
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Tips for Keeping Your Guitar in Tune Longer
After you’ve meticulously completed your guitar tuning, there are several proactive steps you can take to help your guitar stay in tune for longer periods.
- Regularly Change Your Strings: Guitar strings lose their elasticity and become less stable over time. When your strings start to sound dull, lifeless, or consistently struggle to hold their tuning, it’s time to replace them with a fresh set of new strings.
- Stretch New Strings: New guitar strings need to be stretched. After installing new strings, gently stretch them by hand or by playing for a short period. To stretch by hand, carefully pull each string up away from the fretboard a few times. Be gentle to avoid breaking them. Stretching helps them settle in and reduces initial tuning instability.
- Proper Guitar Care and Storage: Avoid exposing your guitar to extreme temperature fluctuations or humidity changes. These environmental factors can significantly impact tuning stability and even damage your instrument. When you’re finished playing, wipe down the strings with a soft cloth to remove oils and sweat, and store your guitar in its case or a gig bag. Proper storage protects it from environmental changes and accidental bumps.
By incorporating these simple practices into your routine, whether you prefer the accuracy of an electronic tuner or the traditional method of tuning by ear, you’ll consistently have a guitar that is in tune, stays in tune, and makes your playing experience far more enjoyable and musically rewarding.
Thinking about purchasing a new guitar? Explore our Guitar Buying Guide
