How to Tune Your Guitar: Standard & Alternate Tunings
Published January 9, 2026
Master guitar tuning with standard EADGBE and popular alternate tunings. Step-by-step guide with the Musoca Guitar Tuner.
Key Takeaways
- Standard tuning is EADGBE from low to high.
- Use the Musoca Guitar Tuner for quick, accurate tuning.
- Learn alternate tunings like Drop D, Open G, and DADGAD.
- Practice tuning by ear using the 5th fret method.
- Always tune before you play — it makes everything sound better.
Standard Tuning (EADGBE)
Standard tuning is the default tuning for most guitars. From low to high (thickest to thinnest string), the notes are: E, A, D, G, B, E. This spans two octaves.
Use the Musoca Guitar Tuner to tune each string. Pluck the string and watch the visual indicator. Left of center means flat (too low), right of center means sharp (too high).
A common mnemonic to remember the string order is "Eddy Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddy." Another is "Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears." Find one that sticks for you.
Popular Alternate Tunings
Drop D (DADGBE): Tune the low E string down a whole step to D. This tuning is popular in rock and metal because it allows power chords with one finger across the bottom three strings.
Open G (DGDGBD): Tune to a G major chord. Popular in blues and slide guitar. Keith Richards uses this tuning extensively. Strumming all open strings plays a G major chord.
Open D (DADF#AD): Tune to a D major chord. Favored by fingerstyle players and slide guitarists. Many folk and blues songs use open D for its full, resonant sound.
DADGAD: A modal tuning that is neither major nor minor. Popular in Celtic and folk music. It has a haunting, ambiguous quality that works well for atmospheric playing.
Tuning by Ear
You can tune without a tuner by using the 5th fret method. Press the 5th fret on the low E string — that note should match the open A string. Repeat: 5th fret A = open D, 5th fret D = open G, 5th fret G = open B (note: the G to B is the exception — use the 4th fret G = open B).
For the high E string, press the 5th fret on the B string — that should match the open high E.
Tuning by ear is a valuable skill. It trains your ear and frees you from depending on a tuner. Practice it regularly even when a tuner is available.
Practice Exercises
- 1Tune your guitar using the Musoca Tuner, then check each string using the 5th fret method. They should match.
- 2Tune to Drop D and play a simple power chord riff. Notice how much easier one-finger power chords are.
- 3Practice tuning by ear only. Start with the low E and work your way up. Use the tuner only to verify.
Common Mistakes
- Tuning to the wrong octave. If a string sounds very slack or very tight, you might be an octave off. Adjust accordingly.
- Not stretching new strings. After changing strings, gently pull each one away from the fretboard and retune. Repeat until they hold pitch.
- Forgetting the G to B exception when tuning by ear (4th fret instead of 5th).
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I tune my guitar?
Every time you pick it up. Guitars go out of tune due to temperature, humidity, and playing. Tuning becomes a habit that takes less than a minute.
Why does my guitar keep going out of tune?
Common causes include old strings, improperly stretched new strings, loose tuning pegs, or changes in temperature and humidity. If it is persistent, have a professional check the guitar.
Can alternate tunings damage my guitar?
Most alternate tunings are safe. However, tuning strings significantly higher than standard (e.g., tuning a string up a fourth or fifth) can increase tension and potentially damage the neck. Use alternate tunings intended for your guitar type.
What is the easiest alternate tuning to learn?
Drop D is the easiest — you only change one string (low E down to D). It is widely used and gives immediate access to heavy power chords.