A guitar that's out of tune will never sound right, no matter how well you play. Tuning is one of the most fundamental skills every guitarist needs — and with the right tools, it takes less than 60 seconds.
Standard Tuning: E A D G B e
The six strings of a guitar, from thickest (lowest pitch) to thinnest (highest pitch), are tuned to:
- E — 6th string (thickest)
- A — 5th string
- D — 4th string
- G — 3rd string
- B — 2nd string
- e — 1st string (thinnest)
A common mnemonic: "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie."
Use the Free StumTube Tuner
Click the button below to activate your microphone. Pluck each string and tune until the needle centers on the correct note. Works on any device with a microphone.
Clip-On Chromatic Tuner
A clip-on chromatic tuner is the most reliable option for live situations. Clip it onto the headstock, pluck each string, and adjust until the needle centers on the correct note. They cost under $15 and are battery-powered.
Tuning by Ear — The 5th Fret Method
If you don't have a tuner handy, you can tune the strings relative to each other:
- Assume the 6th string (low E) is in tune as your reference pitch.
- Press the 5th fret of the 6th string — this note is A. Tune the 5th string to match.
- Press the 5th fret of the 5th string — this is D. Tune the 4th string to match.
- Press the 5th fret of the 4th string — this is G. Tune the 3rd string to match.
- Press the 4th fret of the 3rd string — this is B. Tune the 2nd string to match.
- Press the 5th fret of the 2nd string — this is e. Tune the 1st string to match.
Tips for Staying in Tune
- New strings stretch and detune quickly — tune them multiple times in the first few days.
- Temperature and humidity affect tuning. Always check before you play, especially after moving your guitar.
- Always tune up to the correct pitch (from below), not down. This helps the tuning peg seat properly.
- Once tuned, use StumTube to practice chords synced to real songs.
