There are several ways to tuning a guitar. It is recommended that you use an electronic tuner, otherwise you will need to use something for a reference pitch. This can be a tuning fork, another instrument, or a recording. It is best to use an “E” note for your reference pitch so that you can tune your 6th or 1st string to it, then adjust the other strings to be in tune with that string. The examples detailed below will use the 6th string as the starting reference.

The standard tuning for the guitar is
E, A, D, G, B, E.

• Standard electronic tuners typically allow you to select which string you wish to tune, listing these 6 notes.

• Chromatic electronic tuners allow you to tune each string to any note, but keep in mind the strings can only be tuned so low or so high before problems with playability or breakage occur.

If you are not using a electronic tuner, sound the “E” on the device that you are using for your reference pitch (tuning fork, piano, etc.). Adjust the corresponding string (the 6th) to the sound of the “E” note so that they match as closely as possible.

Once the string is in tune, you will use it as the basis for tuning the 5th string (”A”).

The notes in blue on the diagram are the fretted notes that correspond with the open notes on the 5th through the 1st strings.

1. Hold down the fifth fret on the 6th string. Keep your finger arched up so that it does not touch the string below it at all. Now pluck the fretted note followed by plucking the open 5th string.
2. Compare both notes. They should sound the same. If they do not, adjust the 5th string to match the sound of the “A” note on the 6th string. Make sure you don’t accidentally adjust the 6th string since it is your reference string.
3. When you get the 5th string to sound in tune with the fifth fret of the 6th string, move on to the 4th string.
4. Holding down the “D” on the fifth fret of the 5th string, compare it to the open 4th string. Adjust the open 4th string to match the pitch of the fretted “D” on the 5th string.
5. Tune the open 3rd string in the same manner by comparing it to the fretted “G” note of the 4th string.
6. To tune the 2nd string, notice in the diagram that the corresponding “B” note on the 3rd string is on the fourth fret, not the fifth. Hold down the fourth fret on the 3rd string, and tune the open 2nd string to match it.
7. For the high “E” note of the open 1st string use the fifth fret of the 2nd string as your reference pitch, and tune the open 1st string to it.
8. Now strum a chord that you are familiar with the sound of, and listen to hear if it sounds in tune. If it does not, isolate the string that does not sound in tune, and adjust it again.

This process will take a little getting use to, but you will eventually get to the point where you can hear when each string is in or out of tune. You will also be able to easily gauge how much the string needs to be tightened or loosened to bring it up to the correct pitch.