Standard Guitar Tuning: Everything You Need to Know

Standard tuning is the default tuning that almost every guitarist learns first, and the one most guitarists use for the vast majority of their playing. The six strings, from thickest to thinnest, are tuned to E – A – D – G – B – E (EADGBE).

Every chord diagram, tab, and lesson assumes standard tuning unless stated otherwise. Understanding it thoroughly - not just the notes, but the reasoning behind them - makes you a better, more aware guitarist.

The Notes: E A D G B E

String	Number	Note	Frequency (Hz)
Thickest	6th	E2	82.4
	5th	A2	110.0
	4th	D3	146.8
	3rd	G3	196.0
	2nd	B3	246.9
Thinnest	1st	E4	329.6

The 6th string (E2) is your lowest bass note. The 1st string (E4) is the highest - two octaves above the 6th string. They’re both E, which is why strumming all six open strings produces an Em11 chord (a complex but consonant harmony).

Memory Tricks

Guitarists have been creating mnemonics for EADGBE since forever. Here are the most popular:

Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie
Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually
Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears
Eat All Day Get Big Easy

Pick whichever one sticks. After a few weeks, you won’t need the mnemonic anymore.

Why Is the Guitar Tuned in Fourths (Mostly)?

The interval between most adjacent strings is a perfect fourth - five half steps (frets). This means any pattern you play on one pair of strings can be moved to the next pair without changing shape.

The exception is between the 3rd string (G) and 2nd string (B), which is a major third - four half steps. This anomaly exists for practical reasons:

Chord shape playability. Tuning all strings in perfect fourths would make common chords much harder to finger. The major third between G and B makes open chords like C, G, D, and E possible with comfortable shapes.
Compromise between melody and harmony. Pure fourths tuning optimizes for single-note playing but makes chords awkward. Standard tuning balances both.

This G-B anomaly is why barre chord shapes shift slightly when crossing those two strings. Once you’re aware of it, fingering adjustments become intuitive.

How to Get in Standard Tuning

Method 1: Use a Tuner (Recommended for Beginners)

Open a chromatic tuner app, pluck each string, and adjust the tuning peg until the tuner reads the correct note. Aim for the needle at center - neither sharp (#) nor flat (♭).

Method 2: Tune by Ear (5th Fret Method)

Use one in-tune string as a reference and match adjacent strings:

6th string, 5th fret = 5th string open (both A)
5th string, 5th fret = 4th string open (both D)
4th string, 5th fret = 3rd string open (both G)
3rd string, 4th fret = 2nd string open (both B)
2nd string, 5th fret = 1st string open (both E)

Method 3: Use a Reference Pitch

An A440 tuning fork gives you the A note. Match your 5th string to it, then tune the rest relative to that.

When Standard Tuning Isn’t Standard

“Standard” is actually a modern convention. Concert pitch (A = 440 Hz) was only internationally standardized in 1955. Before that, different orchestras and regions used different reference pitches.

Some common variations on standard tuning:

Variation	Change	Common Users
Eb Standard	Every string down ½ step	Hendrix, SRV, Guns N’ Roses
Drop D	Only 6th string down to D	Many rock/metal bands
Full step down (D Standard)	Every string down 1 step	Heavier rock and metal

These are all modifications of standard tuning - the intervals between strings stay the same, just the overall pitch shifts.

Troubleshooting Common Tuning Issues

”My guitar goes out of tune after 5 minutes”

Causes: New strings that haven’t been stretched, temperature/humidity changes, or mechanical issues (loose tuning pegs, worn nut slots).

Fix: When putting on new strings, stretch them by gently pulling each string away from the fretboard, retuning, and repeating until they stabilize. This usually takes 2-3 stretch cycles.

”My open strings are in tune but fretted notes are off”

Cause: Intonation issue. The string length compensation needs adjustment at the bridge.

Fix: This requires a setup - a guitar tech adjusts each saddle at the bridge so that fretted notes and open notes agree. It’s a standard procedure and usually costs $30-50.

”My tuner says I’m in tune but chords sound bad”

Cause: Old strings. Strings lose their ability to intonate properly as they age. If your strings are more than a month old (with regular playing), they may be the problem.

Fix: Change your strings. Fresh strings intonate better and sound brighter.

Common Mistakes

1. Tuning down instead of up to pitch. Always approach the correct pitch from below. If you overshoot, detune below and come back up. Tuning up stretches the string to its target tension, which is more stable.

2. Not tuning before every session. Guitars drift out of tune constantly. Temperature, humidity, and even gravity affect string tension. It takes 30 seconds and should be the first thing you do.

3. Ignoring the piano test. When in doubt, play an E on a piano or keyboard app and compare it to your open 6th string. A pitch reference eliminates guesswork.

4. Over-tightening strings. If a tuner reads “E” but your string feels incredibly tight, you might be tuned to E one octave too high. This is dangerous - the string can snap. If the tension feels unusually high, stop immediately and check that you’re in the right octave.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

The Tuner in Guitar Wiz is designed for standard tuning by default - just pluck each string and follow the on-screen guidance. The app detects the note, shows whether you’re sharp or flat, and the visual needle makes it easy to dial in perfect pitch. It’s the fastest way to tune up before every practice session.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Guitar Tuner →

FAQ

Why are the 1st and 6th strings both E?

They’re two octaves apart. This symmetry makes the guitar’s range span four octaves and is part of why standard tuning works so well for both chords and melodies.

Does it matter what tuner I use?

Any accurate chromatic tuner works. Clip-on tuners, app-based tuners, and pedal tuners all do the job. The key is accuracy and consistency.

How often should I retune?

Before every practice session, mid-session if you hear drift, and definitely before recording or performing. Guitars are inherently unstable instruments - retuning is normal.