How to Tune a Guitar by Ear

The strings on your guitar are tuned to the following from the largest to smallest string.
E (6th string)
A (5th string)
D (4th string)
G (3rd string)
B (2nd string)
E (1st string)

You can use a simple method to tune the guitar to itself.  All you have to do is get the 6th string in tune.  Tune it with a tuning fork, by ear, with a keyboard, etc.  The most important thing is that you are always in tune with other people you are playing with.  You can always tune to another musicians E string whether its on a mandolin, banjo, bass or guitar.  This helps train your help and will help you in all areas of playing.  I've found that once you practice this method its no harder than trying to get that little needle on an electronic tuner right in the middle!

To Tune your guitar you first need to tune the Low “E” string (or sixth string).

then hold the 5^th fret on the sixth string and strum the 6^th  and 5^th string (open/un-fretted) at the same time.  Their tones should match – if they don’t adjust the tuner key of the smaller string until they do

then hold the 5^th fret on the fifth string and strum the 5^th  and 4^th string (open/un-fretted) at the same time.  Their tones should match – if they don’t adjust the tuner key of the smaller string until they do

then hold the 5^th fret on the fourth string and strum the 4^th  and 3^rd  string (open/un-fretted) at the same time.  Their tones should match – if they don’t adjust the tuner key of the smaller string until they do

then hold the 4^th fret on the third string and strum the 3rd and 2^nd (open/un-fretted)  string at the same time.  Their tones should match – if they don’t adjust the tuner key of the smaller string until they do

then hold the 5^th fret on the second string and strum the 2^nd  and 1^st (open/un-fretted)   string at the same time.  Their tones should match – if they don’t adjust the tuner key of the smaller string until they do

Finally if you want you can pluck the sixth string with your thumb at the same time you pluck the first string with your middle finger, both of these strings are tuned to “E” so they should match (one should just be an octave higher than the other.

After this your instrument will be in tune, and depending on how you tuned your low E string you'll be in tune with the piano, the tuning fork or the rest of the jam session.

Just like you can hum a melody you've heard, you can learn that low E tone.  It might not be perfect but you can come to recognize it.  Eventually you may be able to tune your low E string without the aid of a tuning fork or piano.

- SD