How to Tune a Guitar by Ear: the Perfect Beginner's Guide for Guitar Tuning
In this guide, OnlineTuner.org will teach you how you can tune your guitar by ear to the standard guitar tuning (EADGBe). In this guide, OnlineTuner.org will teach you how you can tune your guitar by ear to the standard guitar tuning (EADGBe). We will walk you through the process of identifying the correct pitch for each string and adjusting the tension using the tuning pegs. By the end of this guide, you will have a well-tuned guitar and a better understanding of your instrument. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this guide will provide you with the skills to tune your guitar anytime, anywhere, even without a tuner. We'll conclude with tips to improve and achieve better tuning by ear.
Understanding the standard guitar tuning
Standard guitar tuning, also known as E Standard Tuning, is a system in which the strings of the guitar are tuned to the pitches E2 (lowest string), A2, D3, G3, B3, and E4 (highest string) from lowest to highest. To tune your guitar to standard tuning, start with the lowest string (6th string, thickest), tune it to E2, the next string (5th) to A2, then D3 (4th string), G3 (3rd string), B3 (2nd string), and finally E4 for the 1st string (thinnest). Each string is tuned to a specific note, and they must be tuned in relation to each other to ensure the correct intervals are maintained. This tuning is used as the basis for most music written for the guitar.
What are the frequencies of the strings in the standard guitar tuning?
The headstocks of two guitar and their tuning pegs with the corresponding strings.
In standard guitar tuning (EADGBE) with A=440Hz, the frequencies of the strings are as follows:
- E2 (6th string, lowest): 82.41 Hz
- A2 (5th string): 110.00 Hz
- D3 (4th string): 146.83 Hz
- G3 (3rd string): 196.00 Hz
- B3 (2nd string): 246.94 Hz
- E4 (1st string, highest): 329.63 Hz
These frequencies are based on the equal-tempered scale where A4 is set to 440Hz. Please note that these are the ideal frequencies. The actual frequency might vary slightly depending on the specific guitar and the accuracy of the tuning device.
Turning the pegs: understanding how a guitar is tuned
Before you tune your guitar, make sure you are in a quiet and noise-free environment. Notice that the strings of your guitar are anchored at its bridge and nut, on the main body of your guitar. They go along its neck, all the way up the headstock, where they are attached to the tuning pegs. By turning the pegs, you can increase or decrease the tension of the strings, changing their pitch.
A picture of an acoustic guitar's headstock with tuning pegs.
To adjust the pitch of a string, turn its corresponding tuning peg. To tune up and increasing the pich of a string, turn the peg counterclockwise. That will increase the tension of the strings and produce a higher sound. To lower the pitch of a string, turn the corresponding peg clockwise. That will lower the tension of the string and produce a lower sound. Remember to play the string you're tuning all along the tuning process to make sure you are proceeding in small steps. You may risk breaking your strings if you're doing sudden changes.
Tuning the first string of your guitar
It is generally advised that you tune the first string of your guitar independently. You can do so by using a reference pitch, whether it is another instrument or one of the pitches of our online guitar tuner, or simply by using our tuner. Once the first string is tuned, you can then proceed to tune the rest of the strings in relation to the first. This method ensures that each string is tuned accurately to the standard pitch, and also in harmony with the other strings. Remember, the goal is not just to get each string to the correct pitch, but also to ensure that they sound good together. This is what makes your guitar sound melodious and in tune.
Tuning the other strings of your guitar by ear
For the rest of this guide, let's assume that you've tuned the first and lowest string (E2) of your guitar as your reference string. We'll wal you through several methods to tune your guitar by ear.
The 5th fret method
The next step is to tune the second string (A2). To do this, fret the fifth fret on the E2 string, this should produce the same pitch as the open A2 string. Play the two strings to check whether the sounds are the same. If the pitches are not the same, adjust the tuning peg for the A2 string until they match. Repeat this process for the other strings, using the fifth fret of the A2 string for the D3 string, the fifth fret of the D3 string for the G3 string, the fourth fret of the G3 string for the B3 string, and finally, the fifth fret of the B3 string for the E4 string. To summarize:
- Play the 5th fret of the E2 string and the open A2 string. Tune up or down the A2 string until the sounds match.
- Next, play the 5th fret of the A2 string and the open D3 string. Adjust the D3 string until the pitches align.
- Then, play the 5th fret of the D3 string and the open G3 string. Tune the G3 string as needed.
- For the B3 string, you’ll need to play the 4th fret of the G3 string and the open B3 string. Adjust the B3 string until the sounds match.
- Finally, play the 5th fret of the B3 string and the open E4 string. Tune the E4 string until the pitches align.
Remember, tuning is a delicate process and requires patience. With practice, you’ll be able to tune your guitar quickly and accurately.
The 5th and 7th harmonics method
This method involves using natural harmonics of the strings to tune your guitar and comparing the sounds of adjacents strings to make sure they match.
- Lightly touch the E2 string at the 5th fret and pluck it to produce a harmonic. Then, lightly touch the A2 string at the 7th fret and pluck it to produce another harmonic. These two harmonics should produce the same pitch. If they don’t, adjust the tuning peg of the A2 string until they match.
- Next, repeat the process with the A2 string at the 5th fret and the D3 string at the 7th fret. Adjust the D3 string until the pitches align.
- Then, do the same with the D3 string at the 5th fret and the G3 string at the 7th fret. Tune the G3 string as needed.
- For the B3 string, you'll ned to play the natural note at the 4th fret of the G3 string and the open B3 string. Adjust the B3 string until the sounds match.
- Finally, play the B3 string at the 5th fret and the E4 string at the 7th fret. Tune the E4 string until the pitches align.
Remember, tuning by harmonics can be a bit more challenging, but with practice, it can lead to very precise tuning.
The open chord method
The open chord method is another effective way - yet more advanced - to tune your guitar by ear. This method involves tuning the guitar so that it sounds in tune when playing an open chord, typically an E major chord, or any other chord you feel comfortable with. You would play and adjust the strings two-by-two, starting from your reference string, to make sure they produce the desired sound. Here's an example for the E major chord:
- Play an E major chord by placing your index finger on the first fret of the G3 string, your middle finger on the second fret of the A2 string, and your ring finger on the second fret of the D3 string.
- Play the strings one by one and stop on the odd sounding ones. Listen carefully to the sound of the chord. If it doesn’t sound right, adjust the tuning pegs.
Tips to improve
Tuning a guitar by ear is a skill that develops with practice. Here are some tips to help you improve:
Practice Regularly: The more you practice tuning your guitar, the better you’ll get at recognizing when it’s in tune. Try to make tuning part of your regular practice routine.
Use a Tuner as a Guide: When you’re first starting out, use an electronic tuner or an online tuner like the one provided by OnlineTuner.org as a guide. This can help train your ear to recognize the correct pitches.
Trust Your Ears: While tuners are great tools, they’re not always 100% accurate. If something doesn’t sound right to you, trust your ears and adjust accordingly.
Check Your Work: After you’ve tuned your guitar, play some chords or scales to make sure everything sounds right. If something sounds off, check your tuning again.
Maintain Your Guitar: Keeping your guitar in good condition can make it easier to tune and stay in tune. Make sure your strings are clean and change them regularly. If you’re having persistent tuning problems, it might be time for a setup from a professional.
Remember, tuning by ear is a valuable skill for any musician. It can help you keep your guitar sounding great, even when you don’t have a tuner handy.
