What is Guitar Standard Tuning?
Standard tuning is the most widely used tuning for 6-string guitars. The strings are tuned E-A-D-G-B-E from the 6th string (thickest) to the 1st string (thinnest). Most guitar books and sheet music are written based on this tuning.
Each string has a specific note name and frequency (Hz), and must be tuned to the correct frequency for proper sound. The table below shows the note name, frequency, and octave for each string.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | Octave | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E2 | 82.41 | 2 | Thickest string, low E |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 | 2 | A string |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 | 3 | D string |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 | 3 | G string |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 | 3 | B string |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 | 4 | Thinnest string, high E |
Guitar Tuning in Solfege (Do-Re-Mi)
Converting guitar tuning notes to solfege (Do-Re-Mi) makes them more intuitive to understand. Knowing the correspondence between letter names (C, D, E...) and solfege (Do, Re, Mi...) makes tuning much easier.
The correspondence between letter names and solfege: C=Do, D=Re, E=Mi, F=Fa, G=Sol, A=La, B=Ti
| String | Note Name | Solfege | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E2 | Mi | 6th string — low 'Mi' |
| 5 | A2 | La | 5th string — 'La' |
| 4 | D3 | Re | 4th string — 'Re' |
| 3 | G3 | Sol | 3rd string — 'Sol' |
| 2 | B3 | Ti | 2nd string — 'Ti' |
| 1 | E4 | Mi | 1st string — high 'Mi' |
Standard tuning in solfege: Mi-La-Re-Sol-Ti-Mi (6th→1st string)
What is E2? Scientific Pitch Notation Explained
Notation like E2, A2, D3 — where a letter is followed by a number — is called 'Scientific Pitch Notation'. The letter represents the note name, and the number represents the octave.
For example, E2 means 'the E (Mi) note in the 2nd octave'. Higher numbers mean higher octaves, i.e., higher pitch. The guitar's 6th string E2 (82.41Hz) and 1st string E4 (329.63Hz) are both 'E (Mi)' notes, but differ by two octaves, making the frequency 4 times higher.
This notation exists because the same note name appears across multiple octaves. Simply saying 'E' doesn't specify which pitch, but E2 or E4 identifies the exact pitch.
Common Guitar Note Notations
E2 (82.41Hz) — Guitar 6th string open, lowest note
A2 (110.00Hz) — Guitar 5th string open
A4 (440Hz) — International standard reference pitch (La)
Frequency Reference Table
The most important thing in guitar tuning is the exact frequency (Hz) of each string. The table below shows standard tuning frequencies based on A4=440Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | Octave |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E2 | 82.41 Hz | 2 |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | 2 |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | 3 |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | 3 |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz | 3 |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 4 |
All frequencies are calculated based on the international standard reference pitch A4=440Hz. Some players use A4=442Hz or 432Hz.
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How to Tune Your Guitar (Step by Step)
The order of tuning matters. Follow these steps for accurate tuning.
Step 1: Prepare Your Tuner
Prepare a clip-on tuner, pedal tuner, or use SnapRhythm's online tuner. For mic-based tuners, a quiet environment improves measurement accuracy.
Step 2: Start with the 6th String (E2)
Begin tuning from the thickest 6th string. Pluck the string and turn the tuning peg until the tuner shows E. Target frequency: 82.41Hz
Step 3: Tune 5th→1st String in Order
After the 6th string, tune: 5th (A2, 110Hz) → 4th (D3, 146.83Hz) → 3rd (G3, 196Hz) → 2nd (B3, 246.94Hz) → 1st (E4, 329.63Hz).
Step 4: Check All Strings Again
Changing the tension on one string can affect others. After tuning all strings once, check from the beginning again.
Step 5: New String Tips
New strings stretch and go out of tune at first. Gently stretching them and retuning a few times tends to bring them to a more stable state.
Tuning Strings to Each Other — The 5th Fret Method
If one reference pitch is accurate, you can tune the other strings by comparing them in sequence. It's useful when you don't have a tuner, or for quickly checking the relative intervals between strings. This applies to standard tuning.
Where to fret on each string
- Fret the 6th string at the 5th fret — it matches the open 5th string (A2).
- Fret the 5th string at the 5th fret — it matches the open 4th string (D3).
- Fret the 4th string at the 5th fret — it matches the open 3rd string (G3).
- On the 3rd string, use the 4th fret — it matches the open 2nd string (B3). (4th fret, not 5th)
- Fret the 2nd string at the 5th fret — it matches the open 1st string (E4).
Why the 3rd String Uses the 4th Fret
In standard tuning, the interval between most adjacent strings is a perfect 4th (5 semitones). But the interval between the 3rd string (G3) and the 2nd string (B3) is a major 3rd (4 semitones). Because that interval is one semitone smaller, you fret one fret lower (4th instead of 5th) on the 3rd string.
If the reference pitch (typically the 6th string E2) is off to begin with, every other string ends up off in the same direction. It helps to confirm the reference once with another method (piano, audio app, tuner).
The 5th-fret comparison method is standard pedagogy in classical and popular guitar instruction (e.g., Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method).
Popular Alternate Tunings
Besides standard tuning, there are many alternate tunings. Using alternate tunings for specific genres or songs can create unique sounds.
| Tuning Name | String Notes (6→1) | Common Genres |
|---|---|---|
| Drop D | D-A-D-G-B-E | Rock, Metal, Alternative |
| Drop C | C-G-C-F-A-D | Heavy Metal, Hardcore |
| Half Step Down | Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb | Blues, Rock (Jimi Hendrix) |
| Open D | D-A-D-F#-A-D | Slide Guitar, Folk |
| Open G | D-G-D-G-B-D | Blues, Country (Keith Richards) |
| DADGAD | D-A-D-G-A-D | Celtic, Fingerstyle |
Common Beginner Tuning Mistakes
When you first pick up a guitar, tuning feels completely foreign. Not knowing which way to turn the peg is something every beginner goes through.
Turning the peg the wrong way
Turning the peg the wrong direction can over-tighten and snap the string. Watch the tuner and turn slowly — check if the pitch goes up or down.
Tuning to the wrong octave
If the tuner shows 'E' but something sounds off, you might be tuned to the wrong octave. The 6th string is E2 (82Hz), the 1st string is E4 (330Hz).
Only tuning one string
Changing one string's tension shifts the neck slightly, affecting the others. Always tune all six strings, then go back and check from the beginning.
Tuning in a noisy room
Microphone-based tuners pick up background noise. TV, other instruments, even air conditioning can throw off the reading. Find a quiet spot.
Keeping Your Guitar in Tune
Tuning before every session is a given, but if your guitar keeps drifting, there's usually a reason.
Temperature and humidity
Wood guitars are sensitive to climate. Leaving your guitar next to a heater in winter or inside a hot car in summer warps the neck and throws off tuning. Store it in a case.
String age
Strings wear out. Old strings tend to lose elasticity, holding tune less reliably and sounding duller. A common recommendation: every 2–4 weeks for daily players, every 2–3 months for occasional players (varies with sweat, environment, and string type).
Loose tuning pegs
If pegs feel loose, tighten the small screw on the back of the machine head. This alone fixes many tuning stability issues.
Nut slot friction
If strings catch in the nut slots, tension doesn't distribute evenly, causing instability. A bit of pencil graphite rubbed into the slots reduces friction.
Tuning After Changing Strings
New strings will keep going flat for the first few days. They're still stretching — this is normal.
Right after putting on new strings, repeat this process:
Roughly tune all strings
Gently pull each string up near the 12th fret to stretch it
Retune — the pitch will likely have dropped
Repeat 2–3 times and the strings will settle
Skip the stretching and your tuning will drop mid-song. It's tedious, but doing it properly upfront saves time in the long run.
Acoustic vs Electric: Tuning Differences
The tuning itself is the same — both use E-A-D-G-B-E. But there are a few practical differences worth knowing.
String gauge
Acoustics typically use .012–.053 gauge strings, electrics use .009–.042. Acoustic strings have higher tension, so you'll turn the pegs more.
Bridge type
Electric guitars with Floyd Rose or tremolo bridges are trickier — changing one string's tension significantly affects the others. You'll need multiple passes to get everything settled.
Intonation adjustment
Electric guitars let you adjust intonation by moving the bridge saddles. If open strings are in tune but the 12th fret harmonic is off, it's an intonation issue.
Either way, one tuner is all you need. SnapRhythm's tuner works with both acoustic and electric guitars via microphone detection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard guitar tuning frequencies?
What does E2 mean?
What are guitar tuning notes in solfege (Do-Re-Mi)?
How do I tune to Drop D?
My guitar won't stay in tune. What should I do?
Why do my strings keep slipping out of tune?
Why won't new strings stay in tune?
Do I need to retune after putting on a capo?
How do I tune to half-step down?
What's the difference between SnapRhythm's tuner and a clip-on tuner?
What Hz should guitar tuning usually be?
Can I change the tuning reference frequency?
Can you hear the difference between 440Hz and 442Hz?
Tune Your Guitar Now
Use SnapRhythm's free online guitar tuner for accurate tuning. It detects your string sound through the microphone and shows real-time tuning status.
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