How to tune guitar from GuitarHub
A good practice session starts with a guitar that’s in tune. Whether you’re learning your first chords or returning to a favourite song, taking a moment to tune helps every note sound clearer.
GuitarHub brings a tuner and metronome together on your phone. Here’s a simple guide to tuning your guitar before you play.
Know your guitar’s tuning
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For a standard six-string guitar, the notes run E, A, D, G, B, E, from the thickest string to the thinnest.
| String | Target note |
|---|---|
| 6th — thickest | E, the low E |
| 5th | A |
| 4th | D |
| 3rd | G |
| 2nd | B |
| 1st — thinnest | E, the high E |
The two E strings share the same note name, but the thin E sounds much higher than the thick E.
1. Find a quiet spot
Place your phone close to your guitar, where it can clearly pick up the strings. Reduce background music, conversation, or other sounds that could interfere with the reading.
Open GuitarHub’s tuner and allow microphone access if your phone asks for it.
2. Pluck one string at a time
Start with the thickest string: the low E.
Pluck it gently and let it ring. Keep the other strings quiet by lightly touching them with your spare fingers.
Give the reading a moment to settle. A hard pluck can make the pitch briefly rise, so aim for a comfortable, consistent touch.
3. Compare the pitch with the target note
Check the detected note against the string you’re tuning. For the thickest string, your target is low E.
Once you’re near the correct note, use the pitch indication to guide your adjustment:
Flat: the pitch is too low. Increase the string’s tension slightly.
Sharp: the pitch is too high. Decrease the string’s tension slightly.
In tune: the pitch is close to the target. Move on to the next string.
Match the correct note first, then make the small adjustments that bring it into tune.
4. Adjust slowly and pluck again
Make small movements with the tuning peg, then pluck the string again to check the result.
Make sure you’re turning the peg connected to that string. The direction that tightens it depends on the guitar’s headstock and how the string is wound.
If you’ve gone slightly sharp, loosen the string a little below the target, then gradually bring it back up. Avoid large turns or tightening a string that already feels unusually tense.
5. Work through all six strings
Continue through the strings in order:
Low E → A → D → G → B → High E
Use the same routine each time: pluck, check, adjust, and check again. You don’t need to rush or chase every tiny movement in the reading.
6. Check the guitar once more
After tuning all six strings, go back and check them again. Changing the tension of one string can slightly affect the others.
Finally, play a familiar chord and listen. If something sounds off, check each string individually once more.
If the reading keeps moving
Small pitch changes are normal while a string rings. If the reading is difficult to follow, try these adjustments:
Move to a quieter room.
Keep the other strings muted.
Pluck gently instead of striking hard.
Move your phone a little closer without blocking its microphone.
Pluck again when the sound becomes faint.
New strings may also need several rounds of tuning before they settle.
Ready to play?
Once your guitar is in tune, choose something simple: a few chords, a scale, or a song you enjoy.
For rhythm practice, use GuitarHub’s metronome at a comfortable tempo. Start slowly enough to play cleanly, then increase the speed as you become more confident.
A quick tuning check before each session is a small habit that makes practice more enjoyable. Tune up, find your rhythm, and make some music.
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