A guitar that's out of tune sounds bad no matter how well you play. Tuning is one of the first things every guitar student should learn — and it's easier than it sounds once you know the basics.
Standard tuning: what you're aiming for
Standard guitar tuning, from the thickest string to the thinnest, is: E – A – D – G – B – E. A common way to remember it: Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie. The thickest string (closest to you when you hold the guitar) is the low E. The thinnest is the high E.
Method 1: Use a clip-on tuner (easiest and most accurate)
A clip-on chromatic tuner clips onto the headstock and reads the vibration of the string directly. This means it works even in noisy environments. Here's how to use one:
- Clip the tuner onto the headstock (the part at the top of the neck).
- Turn it on.
- Pluck a single string — the tuner will show you what note it's detecting and whether you're sharp (too high) or flat (too low).
- Turn the tuning peg slowly to adjust. For most guitars, turning toward you lowers the pitch; turning away raises it. Go slow — you don't want to snap a string.
- Keep plucking and adjusting until the tuner shows the correct note and the needle sits in the center (green zone).
- Do this for all six strings, in order: E, A, D, G, B, E.
Clip-on tuners cost $10–$20. Snark and D'Addario are reliable brands for beginners.
Method 2: Use a tuning app
Apps like GuitarTuna or Fender Tune use your phone's microphone to detect pitch. They work well in a quiet room. Just open the app, select your string, pluck it, and follow the visual indicator. They're free and surprisingly accurate for beginners.
The one limitation: background noise throws them off. Use a clip-on tuner if you're in a noisy space.
Method 3: Tune by ear (the long game)
Tuning by ear means using a reference pitch and then tuning each string relative to the others. Here's the basic method:
- Get your low E string to a reference pitch (use a tuner, piano, or online reference tone).
- Place your finger on the 5th fret of the low E — that note should match the open A string.
- 5th fret of A = open D. 5th fret of D = open G. 4th fret of G = open B. 5th fret of B = open high E.
This takes practice. Your ear needs time to develop. Use a tuner for now and work on ear training alongside your lessons.
Why your guitar might go out of tune quickly
- New strings. New strings stretch and go flat constantly at first. Play through them and retune frequently for the first few days.
- Temperature and humidity changes. Wood expands and contracts. Coming in from the cold? Give the guitar 15 minutes to settle.
- Tuning pegs that slip. If a string won't stay in tune, the tuning peg might be loose or worn. A guitar tech can fix this quickly.
- Playing too hard near the nut or saddle. Aggressive strumming can pull strings sharp temporarily.
Always tune before you play
Make it a habit — every time you pick up the guitar, tune first. It takes 60 seconds. It trains your ear. And it means everything you practice sounds right, which actually helps you learn faster.
A good guitar teacher will show you how to tune from day one. Find a teacher near you on ProPulse and book a first lesson. Get started here.