E (Low-pitch E) A D G B E (High-pitch E)

Note that the lowest string in pitch is the highest string in position on a guitar.

To adjust the pitch to a higher tone, twist the tuning peg until the string tightens. To adjust the pitch to a lower tone, twist the tuning peg in the opposite direction until the string loosens. It is important to remember which string you are tuning and where its associated peg is located—few things are more embarassing to tuning a 12-string guitar than twisting the wrong peg.

Fingering each fret raises the pitch a half-tone. (There are twelve half-tones in an octave, or six whole tones).

The difference between each string and the string above it in pitch is a fourth, or five half-tones, with the exception of G and B, which is a third, or four half-tones.

When tuning, you will encounter 'difference' tones, which manifest as an oscillating or pulsating sound when two notes are close but not equal to each other in pitch. The rate of oscillation drops to zero as pitch of one tone approaches the same frequency as the pitch on the second.

There are several ways to tune a guitar:

Tuning by ear

(1) Pick a pitch that sounds right for one of the notes, such as D or G. For this example, use the G string, which is G above middle C.

(2) Move your finger four frets up on the G string and pluck G. You will get the pitch for the B string.

(3) Adjust the pitch of the B string until both notes sound the same pitch when you pluck them at the same time.

(4) Move your finger to the B string and move up FIVE frets, then pluck the B string. You will get the pitch for high-pitch E.

(5) Move to low-pitch E and sound low-pitch and high-pitch E at the same time. The two tones should be two octaves apart, and to the human ear, sound qualitatively similar.

(6) Move your finger to the low-pitch E string and move up FIVE frets, then pluck the low-pitch E string. This will give you the tone of the A string.

(7) Move your finger to the A string and move up FIVE frets, then pluck the A string. This will give you the tone of the D string.

(8) Move your finger to the D string and move up FIVE frets, then pluck the D string. This will give you the tone of the G string.

This process can be represented by the following tablature:

e|-------------------0---|
B|---------------0---5---|
G|-----------0---4-------|
D|-------0---5-----------|
A|---0---5---------------|
E|---5-------------------|

When each pair of strings is plucked as shown, they should sound the same note. Notes that are close to each other, but not quite the same, will cause a difference tone effect; an oscillation that will disappear as the notes become the same.

Tuning by ear is an imprecise process for inexperienced guitar players or people with hearing issues who cannot discriminate among fine differences in pitch.

For most people, the remedy is practice.

Harmonic tuning

Another way to tune by ear is by using harmonics. This method is a little harder than using the frets as described above. Rather than fretting a string at the 5th fret, simply touch the string directly above the fret, pluck the string and remove your finger. This should produce a high pitched ringing tone, known as a harmonic. (No, not a harmonica, a harmonic.)

The harmonic tuning technique is tabbed as follows:

e|----------------------7*---|
B|------------------0---5*---|
  G|-------------7*------------|  
D|--------7*---5*------------|
A|---7*---5*-----------------|
E|---5*-------------7*-------|

* = Play a harmonic at this fret

Note that the interval between the G and B stings doesn't lend itself to harmonics, so you have to tune B from the E string.

Tuning Forks

There are normally two types of tuning forks commonly found: one is A above middle C, which is 440 Hz, and middle C.

Do not strike the tuning fork against a hard surface. This may cause the fork to change pitch! Instead, tap it with the heel of your hand.

Once the tuning fork is vibrating, set the base of it against the sounding board of an acoustic guitar, or against some other resonant object.

If you tune with an A-440 tuning fork, then the first string you will tune will be the G string. Place your finger two frets up on the G string, then match pitches with the tuning fork.

Another method is using the A harmonic on the seventh fret on the D string, which might sound closer to the sound of the tuning fork than the A on the second fret of the G string, making it a little easier to tune.

This can be very complicated, but with practice becomes easier to do.

Electronic "Pitch Pipes"

There are some electronic pitch pipes that you can get that are convenient to carry with you. For example, some are the size of a keychain. It's a lot easier than carrying a tuner with you.

There is also a cool pitch pipe for your cell phone that will let you tune your guitar, made by a company called ZWorkbench.

Using an Electronic Tuner

Electronic tuners are quick, accurate, and precise. Most models display (with light indicators or by other means) which note they recognise, and wheter it should be tuned up or down. Electronic tuners can be be drowned out by background noise (unless you are using an electric guitar and a jack into the tuner), so they are best used in in a quiet environment.

Factors to Consider While Tuning

Guitars are not tempered instruments, unlike a piano. An octave starting with C has slightly different pitches than an octave starting with A. This can cause slight disharmonies if the strings are tuned with different base pitches. Pianos are designed to even out the slight differences in pitches, so a tune played in A has the same intervals as one in B-flat, C, and so forth. (Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier is a set of keyboard pieces that takes advantage of this tempering.) When you, as a guitarist, tune to a tuning fork, you have to make minute adjustments to the string pitches so overall the guitar is in tune.

Guitars can be temperamental. If you tune in a room with a set temperature and humidity, then take the guitar into another room that is hotter/colder and/or more/less humid, some guitars can go out of tune. It is best to let the guitar "breathe" in the room in which it will be played.

Further, a guitar that is poorly set up (or is just a pig to play) can be difficult to tune or may produce odd overtones. When in doubt, choose a string, strike a harmonic at the twelfth fret, then fret the string at the same fret and play the note. As a general rule, on a well setup instrument, the harmonic and the fretted note should be the same pitch.(Courtesy of Wikibooks)

Click below for the best free Online Guitar Tuners and Guitar Tuning lessons available on the web.

It is a good idea to invest in an electronic tuner before you start to play your guitar. A great inexpensive tuner is the Korg Tuner shown above and available from our store to the left.

Below is a free online tuner that you can use now.

Other Free Online Tuners Guitar Tuner (MoneyChords) Internet Guitar Tuner Kyle's Virtual Guitar World Guitar Lessons Basic Tuning (Cyberfret) How to Tune a Guitar (Guitar Noise) Tuning the Guitar (Kyle's Virtual Guitar) Tuning The Guitar (ezFolk) Tuning Your Guitar (Active Guitar)