In this article, we’ll show you how to tune an electric guitar to the standard electric guitar tuning. This method will also apply to acoustic guitars. It’s very easy to learn how to tune an electric guitar, so follow the sections below to get started.
Tune an electric guitar with a tuner
Tune an electric guitar by ear
TIP: These tuning methods also apply to acoustic guitars and bass guitars, as well!
Tune an electric guitar with a tuner
If this is the first time you’re learning how to tune your electric guitar, using a guitar tuner will help you quickly tune your electric guitar and get on to making music. Most tuners are automatic and immediately detect which note you are playing. Although there are many styles of guitar tuners to choose from, clip on tuners are great tools to begin with.
The most common electric guitar tuning is called standard guitar tuning. The standard tuning going from the lowest string to highest string is E-A-D-G-B-E. Refer to the chart below to ensure you’re tuning each string to the correct pitch.
Play the low E string (thickest string on your electric guitar, known as the 6th string) and adjust the tuning machine until the tuner reads a perfect E.
The note is “in tune” when the “needle” hovers in the middle of the tuner window.
Next, play the A string (5th string) until the tuner reads A.
Repeat this method for the rest of your strings to its respective pitch.
Tune an electric guitar by ear
If this is your first electric guitar and you don’t happen to have a guitar tuner on hand, you can still tune it by ear. While it may seem intimidating, tuning an electric guitar by ear is pretty simple. The only thing you’ll need is a reference pitch, which can be found by using a tuning fork, using a keyboard, or finding a reference pitch sound online. The most common reference note is called A440. On your electric guitar, it’s the second thickest string (5th string). You may find it easier using E as the reference note, though.
Guitar tuning tip: Start slightly flat and tune up to the note to minimize the chances of your tuner gears slipping while playing.
Play the reference pitch and use the tuning machine to match the pitch.
Hold your finger on 5th fret the low E string, play that, then play the A string. Use the tuning machine on the low E string and adjust it so it’s in tune with the A string.
Repeat this method for the rest of your strings to its respective pitch.
Hold your finger on the 4th fret on the G string to tune with the B string.
That’s it! Now that the electric guitar has been tuned, be sure to re-tune as strings will stretch and settle during the tuning process.
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Guitars, however, are typically tuned in a series of ascending perfect fourths and a single major third. To be exact, from low to high, standard guitar tuning is EADGBE—three intervals of a fourth (low E to A, A to D and D to G), followed by a major third (G to B), followed by one more fourth (B to the high E).
Official modern concert pitch is an A that produces sound waves measuring 440 Hz. But many musicians are tempted to cheat, because a fractionally higher pitch makes for a brighter sound (some orchestras, like the New York Philharmonic, tune at 442 or 443 Hz).
Both guitars usually boast six strings (some classical guitars may have more), and both types of guitars are tuned to the same notes in succession: E-A-D-G-B-E. Both guitars also have fretboards and tuning pegs.
THE BEST WAY: The Reference or Master String System. The absolute best way to tune your guitar is to TUNE ALL THE STRINGS TO ONE REFERENCE OR MASTER STRING. This method of tuning is more accurate than others because it avoids cumulative errors by always tuning each string to a single reference or master string.
Changes in humidity or temperature such as heating or cooling systems in a building, or sun and clouds alternating outdoors, can make it hard to keep a stringed instrument in tune, as can moving the instrument in and out of cars and buildings that have different temperatures and humidities.
Those with smaller hands might find learning bass much more difficult than guitar. Conversely, those who struggle with chords might find guitar much harder to learn. We recommend that complete newbies choose the instrument they like best and find a good teacher or online resource for learning.
Many suggest learning bass before guitar to simply have a working knowledge of the notes and fretboard navigation. Although the reverse is true as well. Neither is easier than the other, and neither have advantages to starting first.
While an experienced instructor can help tremendously, it is possible to teach yourself to play bass guitar. Take some time to get used to the instrument, even if you already know how to play guitar. Have patience, and recognize that learning a new instrument will take time and effort.
Because it is so common, this is the sound most guitarists are used to hearing, and probably the one you've heard the most in your favorite songs, too. In standard, the strings are tuned from the low E (the thickest string) to the high E (the thinnest string) in this order: EADGBE.
The easiest way to tell if your guitar is in tune is by using an electronic tuner or tuner app. You could also use a reference pitch from another instrument that is in tune.
The open string notes on the guitar are EADGBE, all notes that we find in the C Major scale. Thus, there is a lot of usefulness to the key of C Major because it can utilize all of the guitar's open strings.
The angle at which we activate the string has a huge effect on the sound of the note. If we play perpendicular to the strings (straight across, or at a right angle to the strings) the sound is very bright. It may sound tinny or thin. It may sound metallic, like a harpsichord.
Most modern classical guitar strings are made of nylon, with the trebles (strings 1, 2, and 3) made of a single transparent nylon string and the basses (strings 4, 5, and 6) made of hundreds of individual strands of nylon that have been wrapped with silver or bronze plated copper thread.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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