To tune a 6-string acoustic guitar to standard tuning (EADGBE), you pluck each string and adjust its tuning peg until the pitch matches the correct note.
How to tune a 6-string acoustic guitar: the standard tuning
Standard tuning is the foundation for most guitar music. The six strings are numbered from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st). Their notes are:
- 6th string (thickest): E
- 5th string: A
- 4th string: D
- 3rd string: G
- 2nd string: B
- 1st string (thinnest): E (two octaves higher than the 6th string)
There are three common ways to achieve this tuning: using a clip-on tuner or smartphone app (the most accurate and easiest), tuning by ear (useful when no tuner is available), or using a pitch pipe. This guide focuses on the first two methods, as they cover nearly every situation you'll encounter.
Method 1: Use a clip-on tuner or smartphone app
Both a clip-on tuner and a smartphone app work on the same principle: you pluck a string, the device reads the pitch, and you adjust the tuning peg until the display shows the correct note. The steps are identical for both tools, so they are combined here.
- Attach the clip-on tuner to the headstock of your guitar, or open your smartphone tuner app and grant microphone access. Ensure the device is set to "Guitar" mode.
- Pluck the 6th string (low E) without fretting any notes. Watch the tuner's display. It will show the note name (E) and indicate whether the pitch is sharp (too high) or flat (too low).
- Turn the tuning peg for the 6th string slowly. Turn it counterclockwise to lower the pitch if the string is sharp, or clockwise to raise it if flat. Pluck the string again and check the display.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the 5th string (A), 4th string (D), 3rd string (G), 2nd string (B), and 1st string (high E). Adjust each peg until the tuner shows the correct note and the needle or light indicates it is in tune.
- Once all six strings show the correct notes on the tuner, strum a chord to confirm the guitar sounds harmonious. If any string sounds off, pluck it again and make a small adjustment.
Clip-on tuners are portable and work well in noisy environments because they sense string vibrations directly. Smartphone apps are convenient since you likely already carry your phone, but they can be less accurate in loud rooms. Either method will get your guitar to standard tuning quickly and precisely.
Method 2: Tune your guitar by ear
Tuning by ear uses the 5th-fret method, where you match the pitch of one string to the fretted note of the string above it. The key exception is for the B string, which uses the 4th fret instead of the 5th. This method requires a reference pitch for the 6th string (low E), which can come from a tuning fork, another instrument, or a recorded note.
- Start with the 6th string (low E). Tune it to your reference pitch by ear, adjusting the peg until the open string sounds the same as the reference.
- Press down the 5th fret of the 6th string. This produces an A note. Pluck the open 5th string (A). Adjust the 5th string's tuning peg until the two notes sound identical.
- Press down the 5th fret of the 5th string. This produces a D note. Pluck the open 4th string (D). Adjust the 4th string's peg until the notes match.
- Press down the 5th fret of the 4th string. This produces a G note. Pluck the open 3rd string (G). Adjust the 3rd string's peg until the notes match.
- This step is the exception. Press down the 4th fret of the 3rd string. This produces a B note. Pluck the open 2nd string (B). Adjust the 2nd string's peg until the notes match.
- Press down the 5th fret of the 2nd string. This produces a high E note. Pluck the open 1st string (high E). Adjust the 1st string's peg until the notes match.
- Strum all six strings. If any chord sounds dissonant, re-check each step. It helps to play the 5th-fret note and the open string simultaneously, listening for the "beat" (a wavering sound) that disappears when the pitches are perfectly matched.
Tuning by ear takes practice but is an essential skill for any guitarist. Once you can do it reliably, you will never be stranded without a way to tune your instrument.
Tips to keep your guitar in tune longer
Even after you have tuned your guitar perfectly, strings naturally drift out of tune due to stretching, temperature changes, and playing force. Follow these practices to maintain tuning stability.
Stretch new strings: When you install new strings, they stretch and settle during the first few days. Gently pull each string away from the fretboard (about an inch) after tuning, then retune. Repeat this process three or four times per string. This accelerates the settling process and helps the strings hold pitch.
Tune up before every session: Always check and adjust tuning at the start of each practice or performance. Even a well-stored guitar can shift slightly overnight due to humidity or temperature changes. Making this a habit ensures you always play in tune.
Store your guitar properly: Keep your guitar in its case or on a stand in a room with stable temperature and humidity. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight, near heaters, or in a damp basement. Extreme conditions cause the wood to expand or contract, which alters string tension and detunes the instrument.
Check tuning during breaks: Strings can gradually go flat as they work under tension. A quick retune mid-session keeps your sound consistent.
