Tune a Guitar by Ear

Each string is tuned by gently turning its tuning peg a little at a time. Turning it one way tightens the string and makes it sound higher, turning the other way slackens the string and makes it sound lower.

  1. Tuning the first string. Using a pitch pipe, piano, or E tuning fork, play the high E note. While the note sounds, pluck the first string. If you are not sure whether it is higher or lower, leave it as it is and listen again. First play the note and then the string. If you are still not sure, slacken the string a little. If the string sounds more out of tuned you are going the wrong way and should tighten it instead.
    Continue to adjust your first string a little at a time, until it sounds neither higher or lower than the E note on your tuning device. When that happens, your first string should be in tune.
  2. Tuning the second string. Press the 2nd string just behind the 5th fret. Play the 1st string twice, wait a moment and then play the 2nd string. If the 2nd string sounds higher, turn its tuning peg a little to slacken it. If it sounds lower, tighten it a little and compare the strings again. Continue tuning the 2nd string until it sounds the same as the 1st string open.
  3. Press the 3rd string behind the fourth fret. Play the 2nd string twice, then play the 3rd string. Keep fingering the 3rd string at the 4th fret, and tune it a little at a time, until it sounds the same as the 2nd string open.
  4. Press the 4th string behind the Fifth fret and gently tune it until it sounds the same as the 3rd string open.
  5. Press the 5th string behind the fifth fret, and gently tune it until is sounds like the same as the 4th string open.
  6. Press the 6th string behind the 5th fret, and gently tune it until is sounds the same as the 5th string open.

After all those steps are complete, your guitar should be in tune. Tuning your guitar by ear does take some practice, but the more you do it, the more you will be able to recognize the correct tuning.

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