How to Tune a Guitar Without an Electric Tuner

Sometimes you’re strumming your guitar or practicing and you can just tell things aren’t in tune. You don’t have an electric tuner handy, or you really don’t want to stop playing to go find your tuner. There must be a method to check the tuning on your guitar without a tuner?? Isn’t there?

There sure is, this beginner lesson I’m going to teach you how you can check the tuning on each string of your guitar without using a tuner, just using the other strings as a guide.

In order to know this concept there are only two things you need to know.

1.)The open note of each string is the same as the 5th fret on the string above it with one exception.
2.)The exception to the rule occurs on the B string where it’s the 4th fret of the G string makes the same note

With these two rules in mind we can do a quick example.

EXAMPLE: Let’s say the A string seems a bit out of tune on your guitar. You want to check it, so play the 5th fret on the Low E string (the string above the A) and then play the open A string. Do they sound the same? If so then the A string is probably ok, if there is a variation try adjusting the A string with the tuning peg either up or down.

It takes some time to hear the slight differences in pitch when practicing this technique and sometimes you can make a mistake thinking the note was privileged when it was really lower. With some practice this will become second scenery and you’ll be tuning your guitar in no time flat.

I suggest each time you pick up your guitar to play or practice you first go through this exercise to check if the strings are in tune. You’ll be doing this in less then a minute before you know it.

To strengthen your understanding of this lesson watch the small video below. It clarifies why the 5th fret works to tune each string and walks through a complete tuning example of all 6 strings.

To gather more beginner guitar tips and techniques why not consider trying some more in depth guitar lessons for beginners. You can easily use dvd or online video lessons to study from the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the cost of confidential lessons and on your own time.