How to Tune a Guitar in Eb

To purists, a guitar should only be tuned to "standard" tuning, meaning that the lowest guitar string is tuned to produce an E note when no frets are depressed. However, many of the greatest guitar players of all time have played in Eb tuning, such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eddie Van Halen. Tuning a guitar to Eb is a common solution when a singer's range cannot reach certain notes that would be required if the guitar was played in standard tuning. In addition, tuning a guitar to Eb makes it easier to bend the guitar strings, as there is not as much tension on the strings.

Instructions

1. Turn the guitar tuning peg for the E string in a counterclockwise direction 1/2 step. The E string is the string with the largest diameter. A step is the equivalent of two guitar frets. Therefore, 1/2 step would mean to reduce the sound produced by the string by one fret, meaning one note. The tuning pegs are located at the top of the guitar where the strings attach. To ensure that the E string is tuned down 1/2 step, play the sixth fret on the A string (the second guitar string) and the E string simultaneously. The same note will be produced when the E string is tuned down 1/2 step. Once completed, the E string will now produce an Eb note when played without depressing any frets.

2. Place one finger on the fifth fret of the E string, and pluck the string one time. Frets are counted from the top of the guitar neck. Therefore, count five frets from the top of the guitar. This is the note that the A string, or second string on the guitar, should produce.

3. Turn the tuning peg for the A string in a counterclockwise direction to lower the A string.

4. Play the fifth fret of the E string and the open A string simultaneously. The same note should be produced on both strings. If not, continue to turn the tuning peg for the A string until the same note is produced.

5. Play the fifth fret on the A string and the open D string simultaneously. The D string is the third string on the guitar. As in Step 4, turn the tuning peg for the D string until the same note is produced.

6. Play the fifth fret on the D string and the open G string simultaneously. The G string is the fourth string on the guitar. As in Step 5, turn the tuning peg for the G string until the same note is produced.

7. Play the fourth fret on the G string and the open B string simultaneously. The B string is the fifth string on the guitar. As in Step 5, turn the tuning peg for the B string until the same note is produced.

8. Play the fifth fret on the B string and the open high E string simultaneously. The high E string is the sixth string on the guitar. As in Step 5, turn the tuning peg for the high E string until the same note is produced.