How to Tune Your Guitar: A Beginner’s Guide

Tuning your guitar is an essential skill for any guitarist, whether you’re just starting or have been playing for a while. Tuning your guitar makes it sound better, helps you play better, and makes learning new songs easier. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover two methods you can use to tune your guitar: tuning with a guitar tuner and tuning with a mobile app.

Method 1: Tuning with a Guitar Tuner

Using a guitar tuner is one of the easiest and most accurate ways to tune your guitar. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, make sure you know the names of the guitar strings. The thickest string is called the 6th string or the low E string. The thinnest string is called the 1st string or the high E string. Here’s a chart to help you remember:

String Number	Name	Note
6	Low E	E
5	A	A
4	D	D
3	G	G
2	B	B
1	High E	E

2. Turn on your guitar tuner and clip it onto the headstock of your guitar.
3. Choose “chromatic tuning mode” or “guitar tuning mode” on your tuner.
4. Start with the Low E string (6th string). Play the string open, and the tuner will display whether the string is in tune or not. If the tuner shows that the string is not in tune, adjust the tuning peg until the tuner shows that the string is in tune.
5. Move on to the A string (5th string). Play the string open and tune it until it’s in tune using the same method as above.
6. Continue to the D string (4th string), the G string (3rd string), the B string (2nd string), and finally the High E string (1st string), tuning each one using the same process as the previous string.
7. After you’ve tuned all six strings, play each one again to make sure they’re all in tune. If any of the strings are still not in tune, repeat the process until all six strings are in tune.

We recommend the Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner as a reliable and affordable option.

Method 2: Tuning with a Mobile App

If you don’t have a guitar tuner, you can use a mobile app instead. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, make sure you know the names of the guitar strings. The thickest string is called the 6th string or the low E string. The thinnest string is called the 1st string or the high E string. Here’s the chart again to help you remember:

String Number	Name	Note
6	Low E	E
5	A	A
4	D	D
3	G	G
2	B	B
1	High E	E

2. Download a guitar tuning app on your phone. There are many free options available.
3. Open the app and select the tuning you want to use. Most apps default to standard tuning, which is EADGBE.
4. Start with the Low E string (6th string). Play the string open, and the app will display whether the string is in tune or not. If the app shows that the string is not in tune, adjust the tuning peg until the app shows that the string is in tune.
5. Move on to the A string (5th string). Play the string open and tune it until it’s in tune using the same method as above.
6. Continue to the D string (4th string), the G string (3rd string), the B string (2nd string), and finally the High E string (1st string), tuning each one using the same process as the previous string.
7. After you’ve tuned all six strings, play each one again to make sure they’re all in tune. If any of the strings are still not in tune, repeat the process until all six strings are in tune.

We recommend the Guitar Tuna app as a user-friendly and accurate option.

Tips for Tuning Your Guitar

• Be patient. Tuning your guitar can take some time, especially if you’re just starting out. Don’t rush the process, and take your time to make sure each string is in tune.
• Use reference notes. If you’re having trouble tuning by ear, you can use a reference note to help. For example, if you’re trying to tune your A string, you can play the 5th fret on the Low E string, which is also an A note.
• Check your tuning regularly. Even if your guitar was in tune yesterday, it might not be in tune today. Check your tuning regularly, especially before playing important gigs or recording sessions.
• Use a guitar tuner or tuning app. While tuning by ear is a useful skill to have, using a guitar tuner or tuning app is much easier and more accurate, especially for beginners.
• Invest in a good tuner. If you’re serious about playing guitar, consider investing in a good quality guitar tuner. There are many options available, from clip-on tuners to pedal tuners.

Conclusion

Tuning your guitar is an essential skill that every guitarist needs to learn. Whether you’re using a guitar tuner or a mobile app, taking the time to tune your guitar properly will make a big difference in your playing. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to tuning your guitar like a pro.