How to Tune a Guitar by Ear? Tips for Developing Your Tuning Skills

The discussion over guitar tuning has lasted for decades already. On one side, we have people focused on true talent. They claim that tuning by ear is the right way to do it.

On the other side, we have musicians who claim that technology can be used as a valuable source in music, especially when it comes to tuning. For them, there is no reason to struggle when you can simply use an electronic tuner.

And we can say that both sides are right. Why would you struggle when there is that handy device? But what if you don’t have one? In that case, knowing how to tune your guitar by ear can be a real lifesaver.

Let’s see how it’s done.

How Do Guitar Strings Work?

When you look down at your guitar, you’ll see six strings arranged from thickest to thinnest. The thickest string, closest to you, is the low E string, also called the sixth string.

Moving down, the next string is the A string (fifth string), followed by the D string (fourth), the G string (third), the B string (second), and finally, the high E string (first), which is the thinnest.

In standard tuning, the pitch of the strings, starting from the sixth string to the first, goes as follows: E, A, D, G, B, and E.

This means the lowest pitch comes from the sixth string, and the highest pitch comes from the first string. It’s important to tune the strings correctly so the guitar sounds the way it’s meant to.

When tuning your guitar, you’ll usually start with the low E string and work your way down to the high E string. Using guitar tuners makes this process simple and accurate.

A tuner helps you adjust each string to its correct pitch by showing whether it’s too low (flat) or too high (sharp). This way, you can ensure your guitar is perfectly in tune and ready to play.

Step-by-Step Guide

Going through this may seem like a complex science. But with a little practice, you will see that it’s not that hard.

Here are the most important steps.

Step 1 – Get a Reference Pitch for the A String

The A string is your starting point because it’s centrally located and commonly used as a reference pitch. Use any of these methods to find the right pitch:

• Tuning fork: Strike the fork and hold it near your guitar’s body to hear the A (440 Hz).
• Another instrument: Match the A string to the A key on a piano or a similar instrument.
• Digital tools: Use an online pitch generator or app for the A note.

Step 2 – Tune the Low E String (6th String)

Fret the A string at the 5th fret to produce an E note. Pluck the fretted A string and the open low E string together. Adjust the low E string until the two notes match.

Step 3 – Tune the D String (4th String)

Use the 5th fret of the A string as a reference. Press down the A string at the 5th fret to create a D note. Pluck it alongside the open D string and adjust the tuning peg until the D string matches the reference pitch.

Step 4 – Tune the G String (3rd String)

Step 5 – Tune the B String (2nd String)

Shift to the 4th fret of the G string to produce a B note. Pluck this fretted note and the open B string together. Adjust the B string until they sound the same.

Step 6 – Tune the High E String (1st String)

Return to the 5th fret method. Fret the B string at the 5th fret to produce an E note. Pluck it with the open high E string. Adjust the high E string until the two notes are in tune.

Alternative Ways to Find a Reference Pitch

If you don’t have a tuner handy, and your skills simply aren’t good enough, there are several alternative ways to get started.

1. Use a Piano or Keyboard

If you have access to a piano or keyboard, it’s an excellent tool that can save you time and effort.

1. Locate the A key on the piano, which matches the open A string of your guitar.
2. Play the A note and pluck the open A string on your guitar at the same time.
3. Adjust the tuning peg of the A string until the two sounds are identical.

2. Use Another Guitar

If you’re with a friend who has a properly tuned guitar, you can use their instrument as your reference.

1. Pluck the A string on their guitar and match it with the open A string on yours.
2. Once your A string is tuned, you can use it to tune the rest of your guitar by ear.

3. Online Pitch Generators and Apps

1. Search for “online pitch generator” or download a tuning app.
2. Play the A note on the app and match your open A string to it.

4. Use a Song You Know Well

Songs with a prominent A note can act as a reference. For example:

1. The opening chord of “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond contains an A note.
2. Hum the note from the song and adjust your A string to match it.

5. Tuning Fork

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A tuning fork is a classic tool for musicians.

1. Strike the tuning fork to produce the A note at 440 Hz.
2. Hold it close to your guitar’s body or press it against the bridge to amplify the sound.
3. Match the open A string to the pitch of the tuning fork.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are some essential steps to go through if you want to learn how to tune your guitar by ear. Keep in mind that this skill cannot be learned overnight.

However, once you improve it, you will become capable of planning a wider and more contrasting list of songs when playing live.