Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Tune your guitar without a tuner
• Method 2 of 3: Using harmonic tones
• Method 3 of 3: Using reference notes
• Tips

Before you start playing guitar, make sure it is in tune. A tuner makes this process relatively easy and straightforward. However, you may find yourself in a situation where you don't have a tuner to hand. You can also tune your guitar without a tuner, or by using harmonics (flageolets). Neither method will necessarily tune your guitar to an absolute pitch. When playing with other musicians, tune your guitar to a fixed pitch using a reference tone.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Tune your guitar without a tuner

1. Press the low E string at the fifth fret. The low E string, also called the sixth string, is the lowest and thickest string on your guitar. If you hold your guitar in playing position and face down, this is the top string (the one closest to you).
   • The note at the fifth fret of the low E is the same as the open A string, the next string after the low E.
   • For this method it is not necessary to tune your low E string first. Even though your instrument is not tuned to a concert or absolute pitch, the strings are tuned to each other. Everything you play will "sound good" as long as you play alone and not with another instrument tuned to the concert pitch.
2. Make sure the open A string has the same tone as the low E string at the fifth fret. Listen to the sound of the low E string, then play the open A string. Tune the open A string up or down until it matches that of the low E string.
   • If the open A string is higher than the A you are playing on the fifth fret of the low E string, tune it lower and then higher again, to the correct note.
3. Repeat the same process to tune the D and G string. Once you've tuned the A, press it down on the fifth fret and strike the string. You will now hear a D. Strike the open D string and tune it up or down so that the tone is even.
   • When the D string is in tune, press it on the fifth fret to play a G. Strike the open G string and compare the sound. Tune the string up or down to equalize the sound.
4. Press the G string on the fourth fret to tune the B string. The method is slightly different for the B string, as there is a shorter interval between the G and B. Press the G string at the fourth fret to play a B. Strike the open B string and compare the sound.
   • Tune the open B string up or down to match the tone produced on the G string.
5. Return to the fifth fret to tune the high E string. Once you've tuned the B string, press the string on the fifth fret and hit it to play a high E. Tune the open E string up or down until the sound matches that of the pressed B string.
   • If the open high E string is higher in pitch than the high E played on the B string, tune it and then slowly and gradually bring it up until it's in tune. The high E string has a lot of tension and can snap easily.
6. Strike a few chords to test your mood. If you want to play a particular song, you can check your mood with chords from that song to make sure it will sound right. Listen carefully and adjust the mood if necessary.
   • You can also use a tuning check chord consisting of E's and B's to see if your guitar is in tune. To play this chord, press the fourth and fifth strings with your index finger on the second fret. Press the third string on the fourth fret and the second string on the fifth fret. Open both the first and sixth strings. When your guitar is in the tune, you will only hear two notes.

Method 2 of 3: Using harmonic tones

1. Lightly touch the string to play harmonics (flageolets). Natural harmonics can be played on the twelfth, seventh and fifth frets. Touch the string just above the fret without applying pressure. Strike the note with your playing hand, letting go of the string at the fret almost at the same time as you strike it.
   • If you've never experimented with harmonics, it may take a little practice before you can play them consistently. When you hear it "ring", you know you did it right.
   • Harmonics are a relatively quiet way of tuning. You may not be able to use this method if you are in a place with a lot of background noise.
2. Play the harmonics on the twelfth fret to control the intonation of your guitar. If your guitar's intonation is out of tune, the harmonics will not match the pitch of the same note when you actually press and play the note. Pick a string and play the harmonic note on the twelfth fret, then fret the twelfth note to play the actual note. Compare the sounds.
   • Repeat this with each string, as the intonation may be perfect on some strings, but not on others.
   • If you can't get your intonation right, switch your strings and see if that fixes the problem. If not, consider taking your guitar to a music store to have it checked by an expert.
3. Compare harmonics to tune the A string to the low E string. Play the harmonic on the fifth fret of the low E string, then play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the A string. Listen carefully. You may have to play them multiple times.
   • Tune the A string up or down until the harmonic exactly matches the pitch of the harmonic played on the low E string.
   • If you haven't tuned your low E string to a reference tone, your guitar will be tuned, but not necessarily to concert pitch or absolute pitch.
4. Repeat the foregoing with the D and G strings. Once your A string is in tune, play the harmonic on the fifth fret of the A string and compare it to the harmonic on the seventh fret of the D string. Tune the D string up or down as needed to even out the pitch.
   • To tune the G string, play the harmonic on the fifth fret of the D string and compare it to the harmonic on the seventh fret of the G string.
5. Play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the low E string to tune the B string. The harmonic on the seventh fret of the low E string produces the same pitch as the open B string when you strum it. You don't have to play harmonics on the B string, just hit it.
   • Tune the B string up or down to match the pitch perfectly.
6. Tune the high E string using the harmonic on the seventh fret of the A string. The method for tuning the high E string is similar to the one you used for the B string. The open high E string should match the pitch produced when you play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the A string.
   • If you tuned the high E string, your guitar should now be in tune. Play a few chords to make sure everything sounds right.

Method 3 of 3: Using reference notes

1. Use a tuning fork or some other reference to tune your D string. If you want to bring your guitar closer to the concert pitch, but don't have a tuner, you can use a reference tone to tune one string, then tune the other strings to that string. You can also use a piano or keyboard for a reference note.
   • When you find a reference note for the D string, you can quickly tune both your low E and high E strings using octaves.
   • You can use other strings as a reference. However, if you use the D string, your guitar will be better tuned across the range of the instrument.
2. Press the D string at the second fret and compare the tone to the low E string. The tone on the second fret of the D string is an E, but one octave higher than the pitch produced by the open low E string. Tune the open low E string up or down until it is the same pitch, but an octave lower. When the string is at the correct pitch, the sounds of the two strings will be in tone, producing a rich sound.
   • Although the notes are an octave apart, you should still be able to hear them when they are in tune. If you have trouble hearing it, use a different voice method until your ear is more developed.
3. Compare the same note with the high E string. The E on the second fret of the D string is an octave lower than the open high E string. Gently tune the high E string up or down until the two strings are the same pitch one octave apart. The strings will sound together as one without wobbling.
   • If the high E string on your guitar is higher than it should be, tune it down first. Don't forget to tune it an octave higher than your reference note - the E on the second fret of the D string. Be careful not to tune it too high, otherwise the string will snap.
4. Compare the same note to the fifth fret on the B string. The E on the fifth fret on the B string is the same note as the open high E. Play the E on the second fret of the D string. While holding down the B string on the fifth fret, tune the string up or down until it has the same note, but an octave higher.
   • Although you can also tune the B on the open high E string, your guitar is better tuned if you tune as many strings to one string as possible.
5. Tune the A and G strings using relative tuning. From this point on, the easiest way to tune the A string is to press the low E string on the fifth fret and adjust the pitch of the open A string to match that note. Then use the note on the fifth fret of the D string to tune the G string.
   • By following this method, you will have five of your six strings tuned to the D string. Play a few chords to make sure your guitar sounds good, and make adjustments as needed.

Tips

• Your guitar will stay tuned for longer if you change the strings regularly and avoid exposing your guitar to significant temperature or humidity changes.
• If a string sounds higher than it should, tune it down first. Then tune it up to the correct pitch. Tuning upwards locks the tension in the string so that it does not slip.
• If you don't have good hearing for pitch, you can also use a voice app. There are plenty of apps for smartphones that you can download for free.