How to Tune Your Guitar an Octave Lower

Continuously strumming a string while tuning will give you the most accurate reading while using a tuner.

The tuning on your guitar has an impact on the sound the guitar produces. Standard guitar tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E, the first "E" representing the thickest string on the guitar. Other variations in tuning include Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E), Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D) and lower octave tuning. Lower octave tuning is standard guitar tuning, except an octave lower. This type of tuning will result in a deep bass sound. This type of tuning is good for metal and rock-style playing.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar tuner

Instructions

1. Turn on your guitar tuner. If you are tuning an electric guitar plug the tuner into the guitar. If you are tuning an acoustic guitar set up the tuner in front of the guitar.

2. Strum the top, thickest string and check the tuner to read what this string is tuned to. The top string should be tuned to a low "E" per standard tuning. Turn the tuner key to to lower the tension on the string. Continue strumming and turning the tuner key until the tuner reads "E" again.

3. Strum the "A" string, the second thickest string, until the tuner registers the string. Turn the tuning key, releasing tension on the string until the tuner reads "A" again.

4. Strum the "D" string, the third string from the top, to make it register on the tuner. Release the tension on the string by turning the tuner key, until the tuner reads "D" again.

5. Strum the "G" string, the third from the bottom as you turn the tuner key, relieving tension on the string, until the tuner reads "G" again.

6. Turn the tuner key for the "B" string, second from the bottom, until the tuner reads "B" again.

7. Turn the tuner key to relieve tension on the bottom string, the "E" string, while strumming until the turner reads "E" again.

8. Check each string with the tuner to make sure they are all in tune.

References

• How to Tune a Guitar