Tuning

Learning to tune “by ear” will make you a better musician. All you need to do is tune
your bottom E string to a piano, a pitch pipe, harmonica, another guitar that is in tune,
or a guitar tuning app or program (there are lots of these for free.) Once your low pitch
E is in tune, play the 5th fret on the low E string (to make an A note) to tune the A
string. Once the A string is in tune, play the 5th fret on the A string (to make a D note)
to tune the D string, and so on. The goal is to make the string that you are tuning sound
identical to the fretted note below it. See the example below to tune all the strings.

E – in tune A A D D G G B B E E

A Note about Tuning:

Tuning is relative. While your low E may be out-of-tune, if you tune your guitar to the
out-of-tune low E, then your guitar will be in-tune with itself. This is fine for practicing
or playing by yourself. However, when playing with other people or learning a song “by
ear”, it is essential that you be properly in tune so your strings are truly tuned to E, A,
D, G, B, and E.

The Curious Guitarist