Nothing deflates a practice session faster than a guitar that sounds slightly wrong. You play a chord you know well, and something is off. Tuning is one of the first skills every guitarist learns, but keeping an instrument in tune through a whole rehearsal or gig takes a few good habits as well as the right tools. Here is a practical guide.
Choosing a tuner
Unless you have a very well trained ear, an electronic tuner is the easiest way to get accurate results. The main types are:
- Clip-on tuners. These attach to the headstock and read vibrations directly from the wood, so they work even in a noisy room. They are small, affordable and popular with beginners and experienced players alike.
- Pedal tuners. Used by electric guitarists on a pedalboard. They usually mute the signal while you tune, which is useful on stage.
- Tuner apps. Handy as a backup, but phone microphones can struggle when other instruments are playing.
- Tuning forks. A traditional tool that gives a single reference note. Useful for ear training, but slower for everyday tuning.
Look for a chromatic tuner, which detects any note rather than only standard guitar tuning. That matters if you play in drop or lowered tunings, which are common in heavier rock and metal. Some models also include a metronome, such as this 3 in 1 clip-on tuner with metronome. You can see more options in our guitar tuners section.
How to tune accurately
A few simple techniques make a noticeable difference:
- Tune up to the note. If a string is sharp, loosen it below the target pitch and then bring it back up. This helps the string stay put, because there is less slack left in the tuning machine.
- Pluck firmly and let the note ring. Give the tuner a clear, steady signal, and read it after the first sharp attack has settled.
- Check every string twice. Tuning one string changes the tension on the neck slightly, so go round all six strings again after the first pass.
- Turn off effects. Distortion and modulation can confuse a tuner. Tune with a clean signal.
- Check a chord at the end. Play a familiar chord or two to confirm that everything sounds right together.
Common reasons a guitar goes out of tune
If your guitar keeps drifting, the cause is often one of these:
- New strings. Fresh strings stretch for the first few days. Gently pull each string away from the fretboard and retune a few times after fitting a new set.
- Temperature and humidity. Wood and metal react to their surroundings. Moving a guitar from a cold car or a winter street into a warm room will almost always change the tuning, so let it reach room temperature before tuning. This is worth remembering during long, cold northern winters.
- Old strings. Worn strings can lose their ability to hold pitch. If yours are dull and grubby, it may be time for a new set.
- Heavy bending or tremolo use. Big bends and whammy bar dives can pull strings slightly out of place. Retuning between songs is normal.
- Hardware or setup issues. Loose tuning machines, a nut that pinches the strings or poor intonation can all cause problems. If careful tuning does not help, a guitar technician can check the setup.
Make tuning part of your routine
The simplest habit is to tune every time you pick up the guitar, before you play a single note. Leave a tuner clipped to the headstock or in the gig bag so it is always to hand, and check the tuning again during longer sessions.
A guitar that is in tune sounds better, makes practice more rewarding and helps you train your ear. Whether you are learning your first riffs or rehearsing with a band, a few seconds with a tuner is always time well spent.