A discordant guitar is certainly not music to your ears. Since stringed instruments tend to shift into discord as the strings begin to loosen, learning how to tune an acoustic guitar should be one of the first things that beginners teach to ensure they learn to play a guitar that sounds good. You can learn the basics of tuning, how to fine-tune your guitar for a perfect fit, and alternative methods to keep your strings from falling out. See Step 1 for more information.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Tuning Basics
Step 1. Learn to recognize strings correctly
It can be difficult to tune a guitar without knowing the correct pitch for each string. Starting with the lowest and thickest strings (which should be closest to your head if you hold the guitar properly), the standard tuning for the strings is, from low to high:
- E
- A
- D
- g
- b
- e
Step 2. Identify the right tuning pegs
Trace each string up to the appropriate tuning peg to make sure you know which peg to turn to tune each string, and in which direction. Before using the tuner, hit the strings a few times and turn the pegs up (clockwise) and down (counterclockwise).
Depending on the type of guitar and how it is strummed, the direction can be different. This is why it is important to check first. If you still want to tune it, experiment with turning the tuning peg to find out the right tension to change the key, change the pitch, and in which direction the peg should be turned
Step 3. Squeeze each string individually and turn the pegs to adjust to the correct pitch
If you're using an electric tuner, turn it on and hold it close enough to the guitar that it picks up enough sound. Beat the strings repeatedly and turn the tuning pegs until the sound exactly matches the pitch.
- If the sound is sharp (too high), lower the notes by turning the tuning pegs to make them loose and lower, until you reach the right note.
- If the sound is flat (too low), you will need to raise the notes by tuning up slowly, tensing the strings and making the notes higher. Keep tuning until you hit the right note.
- You can also adjust the pitch of the guitar with the guitar itself, with the piano, or other musical instruments. If you're playing with a trumpeter, ask him to play an E and strum the guitar until the notes match.
Step 4. Play a chord or notes to check the interval
Acoustic guitars are made of wood, and the resonance of the strings can sound out of place, even if tuned properly. Play the G chord, or first position chord to make sure the guitar sounds just right and doesn't sound out of place. Make adjustments as necessary.
B strings in particular need to be tuned a little low to create the perfect guitar tone sound. Experiment and listen carefully to make sure the guitar pitch is just right
Part 2 of 3: Fine Tuning
Step 1. Purchase a good quality chromatic guitar tuner
The easiest and most accurate way to properly tune your guitar is to use an electronic guitar tuner that can read notes, generally provides a visual measurement of how well your guitar is playing, and tells you which direction you need to tune in. This tuner does everything for you, except turning the pegs.
The price and quality of these tuners range from cheap to quite expensive luxury acoustic tuners. To get started, buy an inexpensive tuner within your budget, or do some research on free online options
Step 2. Tune up, not down
It is important for all acoustic stringed instruments, especially acoustic guitars, to be tuned from low to high, rather than the other way around. You're more likely to snooze if the string tension drops (which is what happens when you tune from high to low), so it's better to create proper directional tension on the strings by tuning up and not the other way around.
Even if the strings sound sharp (usually they aren't), the tuning first drops lower than it should be, then tunes up to adjust the pitch
Step 3. Use the new strings
Old, worn out strings won't stay in tune. If you have to tune all the time, or your strings start to tear, consider replacing with new strings that will stay in tune as you play. The guitar will sound better and be more fun to practice if the strings are new.
Step 4. Let the wood adjust to the strings
Buy strings near your home and fine tune them more accurately, especially if you are installing new strings. The strings put a lot of pressure (hundreds of pounds) on the guitar frame, and acoustic guitars are very susceptible to movement and very easy to fall over, especially old guitars and those using various types of wood.
Don't be frustrated if you tune your guitar perfectly but the sound comes back out of whack a few minutes later. This is normal. Pull the strings slightly while tuning to loosen them up a bit and let them sit for a few minutes, then check again
Step 5. Use your eyes and ears
While it's important to tune accurately and credit an electric tuner, it's also important to learn to listen to the strings and tell when they're out of tune. Experienced guitar players don't need to have perfect pitch or use a tuner to tell when a string is out of tune. Listen to the notes while tuning and you'll be able to tune more accurately.
Part 3 of 3: Using Alternative Methods
Step 1. Tune the guitar using the piano
If you have a piano or keyboard whose pitches are well-tuned and well-maintained, and are familiar with the notes, one easy way to tune your guitar quickly is to play each note and adjust the pitch to the sound that comes out of each string.
Step 2. Look for tuners and free online apps
There are many electronic tuners and tone generators available that you can use to quickly get your guitar back into tune. One of the most effective tuners available is the basic tuner in the Apple app store. This tuner is very cheap and super accurate. As long as your phone has power, you can tune your guitar.
Step 3. Tune the guitar using the guitar itself in harmony
You may not be able to tune your guitar perfectly, but at least you can make sure it tunes yourself by adjusting the intervals of each string.
- When you hit the lower E string on the fifth fret, it sounds like an A note. So, to tune your guitar, you can play A on the E string and tune your A string. This is a good way to check the connection between the strings after using an electronic tuner, or after tuning the guitar using the guitar itself so you can play or practice.
- This is perfect for checking the connection between all the strings except the G and B. For this interval, hit the G string on the fourth fret, which should be a B note.
Step 4. Use alternating tuning on the acoustic guitar
You don't always have to tune old strings the same way. Famous guitar players such as Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, and John Fahey often use various tuning methods interchangeably to play their most famous songs, and these methods are good for playing Delta blues or slide-guitar techniques. Some guitar players like to tune the bottom string to the D note instead of the E, because it makes it easier to play certain chords and musical styles. This is called Drop-D tuning. Other alternative tunings include:
- Irish way tuning (DADGAD)
- Open C Tuning (CGCGCE)
- Open D Tuning (DADF#AD)
- Open G Tuning (DGDGBD)
Tips
- Guitar strings are more prone to chipping when they are worn out, and when they are new. Strings that are used very often can be impossible to adjust.
- To extend the life of your strings, after use, clean them with a lint-free cloth or the recommended cleaner.
