Guitar Tuning Basics

Learning to play chords, scales and songs plays a large role in your development as a guitar player. One of the most important aspects of any good player, and one that is often overlooked, is being able to properly tune your guitar. By knowing the names of the strings, and how each note corresponds to harmonics, octaves and unisons, you can always be sure that your guitar is perfectly in tune when you pick it up to jam with friends or play on your own.

Names of Strings

The strings of the guitar are named as such, from thickest to thinnest, E (6), A (5), D (4), G (3), B (2) and E (1).

Electronic Tuner

An electronic tuner is the quickest and easiest way to tune a guitar. The key is knowing that names of the strings so that each string matches up to the note indicated on the tuner.

Tuning in Unison

One of the most popular ways to tune a guitar is using the interval of a unison. This is usually done by matching a note on the fifth fret, or fourth on the third string, to the open string directly below it.

Tuning in Octaves

Guitars can be tuned using octaves between the open strings and the matching note two strings higher. For example, the open sixth string should match the second fret of the fourth string, both are the note E.

Harmonics

You can also tune your guitar using harmonics on the fifth, seventh and twelfth frets. The key to this is knowing which open string should match the harmonic you choose to use.

Seven String Low

If your guitar has an added low seventh string than you need to tune the seventh string to the note B--the same note as the second string but two octaves lower.

Seven String High

If your guitar has an added high seventh string than that string needs to be tuned to the note A, the same as the fifth string but two octaves higher.

Resources

• Tips on keeping a guitar in tune