How To Tune A Guitar

Learning how to tune a guitar correctly is critical, especially for beginners. I always advise new students to buy themselves a good quality electronic tuner.

If you don't have one, I will show you how you do it by ear:

Some electronic tuners get a little confused if the note is way out, and cannot tune the string properly unless it is already close to being in tune!

This is why I recommend being able to tune by ear. You can then get it pitch-perfect with an electronic tuner if you want.

First you need a reference pitch, such as a note on a piano or a tuning fork. This is very important if you want to play along with another instrument.

You can use the flash file below for all 6 string pitches and tune each one in turn on your guitar.

When no reference pitch is available, you can tune the guitar relative to itself. It may not be in the correct pitch, but at least you will be able to play it ok.

Fret the bottom E string at fret 5 and tune the open A string so that both notes sound the same.

Do the same with the A string and tune the open D so that both notes sound the same.

Same again with the D and G strings.

Fret the G string at fret 4 and tune the open B string so that both notes sound the same.

Fret the B string at fret 5 and tune the top E string so that both notes sound the same.

Non-standard tunings

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