If your guitar sounds like a disaster, you’re in the right place. This lesson shows you how to use a digital guitar tuner to get into standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high).
How To Use A Guitar Tuner
Watch on YouTube
Why Use a Chromatic Tuner?
A chromatic tuner reads any of the 12 notes in music — not just guitar strings. This means you can tune to alternate tunings, drop tunings, or anything else you can think of. It’s also useful for bass, mandolin, banjo, or any stringed instrument.
Reading the Display
Most tuners show three things:
- The note name (right side) — tells you which pitch you’re closest to
- Cents (left side) — how many vibrations off you are from perfect
- The meter/LEDs — visual indicator of flat (left) or sharp (right)
Your goal: get the meter centered and the cents reading as close to zero as possible. You won’t always hit exactly 00 — anywhere from -2 to +2 is close enough.
The Strings (Low to High)
- 6th string (thickest) = E
- 5th string = A
- 4th string = D
- 3rd string = G
- 2nd string = B
- 1st string (thinnest) = E
Always tune from the thickest string to the thinnest. The low strings affect neck tension, which affects the high strings. Going low-to-high means less retuning.
Common Mistakes
Hitting the string too hard. A gentle pluck gives a steadier reading. Strike once, let it ring, and watch the meter settle.
Not watching the note name. You can accidentally tune to the wrong pitch if you’re only watching the meter. Always confirm you’re tuning to the right note (E, A, D, G, B, E).
Confusing flats and sharps. B♭ and A# are the same note. Some tuners display one way, some the other. If your tuner shows B♭ when you want A, you’re one semitone too high.
Pro Tip: Come Up to the Note
If you overshoot (go sharp), don’t just tune back down. Go below the target note, then come back up to it. The string holds pitch better when tension is increasing, not decreasing.
Temperature Matters
Guitars are sensitive to temperature. If you’ve just brought your guitar into a room, let it warm up before tuning. You’ll probably need to tune twice — once to get close, then again after the neck settles.
The G string (3rd) is usually the most temperamental. If it won’t stay in tune, give it a gentle pull to help it settle, then tune again.
Tuning is just one piece of keeping your guitar playing right. If your guitar won’t hold its tuning no matter what you do, the problem might run deeper — worn nut slots, old strings, or hardware that needs attention. My guitar setup and maintenance guide covers what to check and when to see a tech.
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