In this video I'll show you how to tune a guitar by ear with a simple method that's more effective and easier than the normal way.
🎸 Get my FREE, amazing chord options chart called ‘Chords with Color’

🕐 Video Content Outline

0:00 - About this lesson
0:48 - Tuning the A string
2:35 - The typical way tuning is taught
4:55 - Tuning the low E string
6:21 - Tuning the D string
6:42 - Tuning the G string
7:34 - Tuning the B string
8:12 - Tuning the high E string
9:11 - The importance of having your guitar set up well
10:10 - Recap
11:10 - Chords with Color (FREE PDF) & watch next

🔗 Links & Lessons Mentioned in This Video

🎸 Get my FREE, amazing chord options chart called ‘Chords with Color’
🎸 WATCH THIS NEXT: Play any popular song with just two chord shapes

💬 Lesson Description

In this lesson, you'll learn how to tune a guitar by ear with a reliable approach that I've been using for the past several months.

There’s a very basic traditional way that tuning by ear is taught, but that method is not the most effective.
With a couple of slight adjustments, we can tune a guitar by ear much more accurately than the common approach.

If you don't know how to tune a guitar by ear at all, this will be great!

If you do know how then this method will help you tune quicker and more precisely (it did for me!).

I hope you enjoyed this lesson about how to tune a guitar by ear and found it beneficial. Let me know what you thought in the comments.

Thanks! :)

- Jared

How to Tune a Guitar by Ear: not the normal way

The Traditional Tuning Method

The traditional way to tune a guitar by ear starts by playing the fifth fret on the low E string, then playing the open A string, and aiming to match the pitches. The process continues down the strings, with a slight shift from the fifth fret to the fourth fret when you tune the B string to the G string.

This method to tune a guitar by ear is widely taught, and it does have its merits. However, there can be a problem when you tune each string relative to the one before it. Two adjacent strings that sound in tune with each other might still be imperceptibly off. As you tune the rest of the strings, these tiny variations accumulate. If the string A was slightly out of tune with the E string, and the D string is slightly out of tune with the A string, the D string will be even more out of tune with the E string. So by the time you reach the high E string, your guitar might still sound out of tune.

A Fresh Approach: Tuning Every String to One String

To tune a guitar by ear more accurately, I suggest that we tune each string relative to the A string. The advantage here is that you're always comparing to a constant reference point, which helps keep your tuning more consistent across all the strings. Let's delve into this method step by step.

Tuning the A String

You can use an app, a tuner, or even a tuning fork to tune the A string. If you use a tuning fork or another pitch source as a reference point, listen carefully for any wobbling sound (also referred to as “beating”) between the two pitches and try to smooth it out.

Tuning the low E String

First, play an A note on the low E string (fifth fret) and compare it to the open A string.

Next, play an E note on the A string (fret) and compare that to the open E string.

You have two options for doing this:

1) Remove your fretting hand from the fretboard to tune.

• Pro: You don’t have to reach or stretch because your fretting hand is closer to the tuning pegs than your plucking hand.
• Con: The note will stop sounding if you remove your fretting hand. You’ll have to play the note again and make small tuning adjustments a few times.

2) Reach over to turn the peg with your plucking hand.

• Pro: The notes continue ringing as you tune.
• Con: You have to reach over to turn the tuning pegs.

Tuning the D String

Start by playing the D note on the A string (fifth fret) and compare it to the open D string.

Next, find an A note on the D string (seventh fret) and compare that to the open A string.

Tuning the G String

Play an A note on the G string (second fret) and compare it to the open A string.

Then, find a G note on the A string (tenth fret) and compare that to the open G string.

Tuning the B String

Start by playing a B note on the A string (second fret) and comparing it to the open B string.

Then, find an A note on the B string (tenth fret) and compare that to the open A string.

Tuning the High E String

Play the seventh fret harmonic on the A string and compare that to the open E string. Remember, when playing a harmonic, you should barely touch the string right above the metal fret. You get the most volume by using a rest stroke with your plucking hand.

Lastly, play the fifth fret harmonic on the A string and compare it to the A note on the high E string (fifth fret).

Review and Adjust

After you’ve tuned each string relative to the A string, play a few chords to make sure everything sounds good. If it doesn't, you might need to adjust your tuning slightly. Sometimes, especially if the guitar hasn't been played in a while, you might have to retune a few times. If the tuning issue persists, you probably have an intonation problem with the guitar. In such cases, it would be best to take your guitar to a professional for a setup.

The Importance of a Properly Set Up Guitar

A properly set up guitar will have good intonation (be in tune with itself) and good action (the strings aren't too far off the fretboard). If your guitar is out of tune with itself, getting it professionally setup is a worthwhile investment.

Recap

Learning how to tune a guitar by ear requires practice, but it's good for developing your listening skills and connecting with the nature of your instrument. There are many other ways to tune a guitar, including using a tuner, tuning apps, or comparing different intervals. However, the method shown here is a reliable and effective way to make sure your guitar is in tune.

Bonus: Chords with Color (FREE PDF) & Next Recommended Lesson

Now that your guitar is in tune, you can explore playing more complex and lush chords. I offer a free chord chart called "Chords with Color" that shows a variety of common and alternate chords. This chart can be used to create unique arrangements of songs or explore different chord sounds and theories.

I also recommend checking out my lesson about how you can play almost any popular song with only two chord shapes. It's a fun and simple approach to understanding how many songs are constructed.

I post a new guitar lesson every week, and next week's lesson will be about my top favorite jazz guitar albums of all time. I hope to see you there. Thank you for tuning in (get it?), and happy practicing!

🎸 Get my FREE, amazing chord options chart called ‘Chords with Color’