What are the standard tuning notes for guitar?

Standard guitar tuning from lowest to highest string is E-A-D-G-B-E. The 6th string (thickest) is low E, and the 1st string (thinnest) is high E. A helpful mnemonic is "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie."

How often should I tune my guitar?

You should tune your guitar every time you play. Temperature changes, humidity, and simply playing the guitar cause strings to go out of tune. Professional guitarists often check tuning between songs during performances.

Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly?

Common causes include new strings that haven't been stretched, temperature/humidity changes, worn tuning pegs, an improperly cut nut, or aggressive playing techniques like heavy bending. New strings typically need 1-2 days to stabilize.

What is the best tuner app for guitar?

Popular free tuner apps include GuitarTuna, Fender Tune, and BOSS Tuner. For accurate results, tune in a quiet environment. Clip-on tuners are more reliable in noisy settings as they detect vibrations rather than sound.

Should I tune with a capo on or off?

Always tune with the capo OFF first to get standard tuning. After placing the capo, you may need minor adjustments as capos can slightly sharpen strings. Some guitarists fine-tune after placing the capo.

What does 440 Hz mean in tuning?

440 Hz is the standard concert pitch, meaning the A note vibrates at 440 cycles per second. Most tuners default to A=440 Hz. Some styles use A=432 Hz or A=442 Hz, but 440 Hz is the universal standard.

Can I tune by ear without a tuner?

Yes! The 5th fret method works well: the 5th fret of one string should match the open string below it (except B string, which uses the 4th fret of G). You need one reference pitch to start, like a piano, tuning fork, or phone app.

What are alternate tunings on guitar?

Alternate tunings change one or more strings from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. Common examples include Drop D (low E tuned to D), Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D), and DADGAD. These create different chord voicings and are popular in blues, folk, and rock.

How to Tune a Guitar: 3 Methods (Tuner, By Ear, Harmonics)

A well-tuned guitar is the foundation of everything you play. Whether you're learning your first open chords or performing on stage, being in tune is non-negotiable. This guide covers everything you need to know about tuning your guitar—from the standard tuning notes to multiple methods you can use anywhere.

The good news? Tuning is a skill you'll develop quickly with practice. Within a few weeks, you'll be able to tell when your guitar is out of tune just by playing a chord.

Standard Tuning: EADGBE

Standard tuning is the most common guitar tuning used across all genres. From thickest string (6th) to thinnest (1st), the notes are:

6ELow

1EHigh

String 6 (thickest) → String 1 (thinnest)

🎯 Memory Trick

"Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie" — Each word starts with the string's note. Other popular mnemonics include "Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears" and "Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually."

Method 1: Using a Digital Tuner

Digital tuners are the most accurate and beginner-friendly way to tune. They detect your string's pitch and show you whether to tune up (sharpen) or down (flatten).

Pluck the string

Play the string you want to tune clearly and let it ring.

Read the display

The tuner shows the closest note. Make sure it shows the correct target note (E, A, D, G, B, or E).

Adjust the tuning peg

Turn the peg while watching the display. When the needle is centered (or the light turns green), you're in tune.

Repeat for all strings

Work through each string from 6th (low E) to 1st (high E).

Types of Tuners

📱 Tuner Apps

Free and always with you. GuitarTuna, Fender Tune, and BOSS Tuner are excellent choices. Works best in quiet environments.

🎸 Clip-On Tuners

Attach to the headstock and detect vibrations. Work great in noisy environments. Affordable ($10-25) and highly accurate.

🎹 Pedal Tuners

For electric guitars. Go in your signal chain and mute output while tuning. Essential for live performance.

Method 2: Tuning by Ear (5th Fret Method)

Tuning by ear develops your musical ear and is invaluable when you don't have a tuner. The "5th fret method" is the most common approach.

The 5th Fret Method

6th string→ Use reference pitch (piano, tuning fork, app)

5th string→ Match to 6th string, 5th fret

4th string→ Match to 5th string, 5th fret

3rd string→ Match to 4th string, 5th fret

2nd string→ Match to 3rd string, 4th fret ⚠️

1st string→ Match to 2nd string, 5th fret

Important Exception

The B string (2nd) uses the 4th fret of the G string, not the 5th. This is because of how guitar tuning is structured—the interval from G to B is a major 3rd, while all other adjacent strings are perfect 4ths.

Tips for Tuning by Ear

Listen for "beating" — when two notes are slightly off, you'll hear a wobbling sound that slows down as you get closer to in-tune
Play both notes simultaneously and adjust until the beating stops
Double-check by playing an open chord — if something sounds "off," trust your ear

Method 3: Using Harmonics

Harmonics produce a clear, bell-like tone that makes it easier to hear small pitch differences. This method is popular among experienced players.

Harmonic Tuning Points

6th string, 5th fret harmonic= 5th string, 7th fret harmonic

5th string, 5th fret harmonic= 4th string, 7th fret harmonic

4th string, 5th fret harmonic= 3rd string, 7th fret harmonic

6th string, 7th fret harmonic= 1st string open (octave check)

How to play harmonics: Lightly touch the string directly above the fret wire (not between frets) and pluck. Lift your finger immediately after plucking to let the harmonic ring.

Common Tuning Problems & Solutions

🔧 New strings won't stay in tune

New strings need to stretch. After putting on new strings, tune up, then gently pull each string away from the fretboard, retune, and repeat 3-4 times. This accelerates the break-in process.

🌡️ Guitar goes out of tune with temperature changes

Wood expands and contracts with temperature. Let your guitar acclimate for 10-15 minutes before tuning if moving between significantly different temperatures.

⚙️ Tuning pegs slip

On guitars with friction tuners, tighten the screw on the tuning button. On sealed tuners, this may indicate worn gears that need replacement.

🎸 In tune open but not up the neck

This is an intonation problem. The saddle positions need adjustment (usually done at a guitar shop for beginners). Check by comparing the 12th fret harmonic to the 12th fret fretted note—they should match.

Popular Alternate Tunings

Once you've mastered standard tuning, you might explore alternate tunings used in specific genres or songs.

Drop D

D-A-D-G-B-E

Lower the 6th string from E to D. Popular in rock and metal for heavy power chords.

Open G

D-G-D-G-B-D

Strumming open strings plays a G chord. Used in blues, slide guitar, and Rolling Stones songs.

DADGAD

D-A-D-G-A-D

Creates a Dsus4 chord when strummed open. Popular in Celtic and folk music.

Half-Step Down

Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb

All strings tuned down a half step. Reduces string tension and gives a darker tone. Used by Hendrix, SRV.

Test Your Tuning

After tuning, test with these simple chord progressions. If any chord sounds "off," check your tuning again.

Open Chord Test

GCD

A simple progression using common open chords. All three should sound clean and consonant.

Minor Chord Check

EmAmDG

Tests your low strings with Em and Am shapes.