Let’s talk about tuning. No matter how good you are, if you are out of tune it will sound terrible.

There are several alternate tunings for the guitar, Drop D, D, Eb, C#, DADGAD, Open G, etc. In this lesson we will focus on standard tuning.

String Names 

• Low E – Fattest, top string, closest to you
• A string
• D string
• G string
• B string
• High E string – thinnest, lower string closest to the floor
• String numbers are 6 fattest 5 4 3 2 1 thinnest
• Strings are E, A, D, G, B, E (654321).
• Think – Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie
• Each tuning peg is in charge of a string. Some headstocks have the pegs in a row. Some headstocks have 3 on top 3 on the bottom. Some are 3 and 2, etc. No matter what, you must familiarize yourself which peg is in charge of which string.
• Turn the corresponding peg to increase or decrease pitch.

Using a Tuner 

Whether you are using software, clip on tuner, tuning pedal, etc. the method is the same. Using a tuner is always the best choice as noise will not impact your tuning.

• Clip the tuner on to the headstock
• Turn the tuner on
• Pluck the low E string
• Keep Plucking
• Move the tuning peg – look for the line to be in the middle
• Keep adjusting until the line is right in the middle
• Some tuners will change color, shoot fireworks, etc. when you are in tune
• Do this for every string

Using Another Instrument – “Give Me an E” 

Have someone give you an E. Press the E on a piano. Use a pitch pipe or tuning fork. Pluck the E of a guitar that is in tune. Whatever you have to do to find a solid reference note. If you play with others and are tuning by ear, everyone will have to be quiet while you tune.

• Once you have a Solid E – we will tune the rest of the strings to that E
• Press on the 5^th fret of the fattest (E string) – this is an A
• Pluck it
• Pluck the Open 5^th string (A string) at the same time
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the A string
• Pluck both and turn the tuner slowly until you hear it
• Press on the 5^th fret of the 5^th string (A string) – this is a D
• Pluck it
• Pluck the Open 4^th string (D string) at the same time
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the D string
• Pluck both and turn the tuner slowly until you hear it
• Press on the 5^th fret of the 4^th string (D string) – this is a G
• Pluck it
• Pluck the Open 3^rd string (G string) at the same time
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the G string
• Pluck both and turn the tuner slowly until you hear it
• Press on the 4^th fret of the 5^th string (B string) – this is a B
• Note that we are using the 4^th fret and not the 5^th
• Pluck it
• Pluck the Open 2^nd string (B string) at the same time
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the B string
• Pluck both and turn the tuner slowly until you hear it
• Press on the 5^th fret of the 2^nd string (B string) – this is an E
• Pluck it
• Pluck the Open thinnest string (E string) at the same time
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the E string
• Pluck both and turn the tuner slowly until you hear it
• If you pluck Fattest E and Thinnest E they should also sound in tune
• That’s it, you should be in tune

Using Harmonics 

If you know how to make a harmonic, you can also use the harmonic method. This method will also require others to be quiet while you tune by ear. Can get a bit frustrating at times.

• Once you have a Solid E – we will tune to that E
• Place your finger gently on the Low E String right above the 5^th fret
• We are not pushing down, just feel the string hit the pad of your finger
• It should make a harmonic sound
• Let it ring out
• Place your finger gently on the A String right above the 7^th fret
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the A string
• Turn it slowly until you hear it
• Place your finger gently on the A String right above the 5^th fret
• Make a harmonic
• Let it ring out
• Place your finger gently on the D String right above the 7^th fret
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the D string
• Turn it slowly until you hear it
• Place your finger gently on the D String right above the 5^th fret
• Make a harmonic
• Let it ring out
• Place your finger gently on the G String right above the 7^th fret
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the G string
• Turn it slowly until you hear it
• There is not a harmonic for the b string
• Press on the 4^th fret of the 3^rd string (G string) – this is a B
• Pluck it
• Pluck the Open 2^nd string (B string) at the same time
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the B string
• Turn it slowly until you hear it
• Place your finger gently on the B String right above the 5^th fret
• Make a harmonic
• Let it ring out
• Place your finger gently on the E String right above the 7^th fret
• Adjust the corresponding peg for the E string
• Turn it slowly until you hear it
• Pluck Fattest E and Thinnest E they should also sound in tune