Tips & Tutorials | August 20, 2025

How to Tune an Acoustic Guitar: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

A simple guide to getting your guitar in tune using a clip-on tuner—or your own ears. 

If your guitar doesn’t sound quite right, it’s probably out of tune. And that’s okay—all guitars go out of tune from time to time. Even brand-new Martins! Learning how to tune is one of the first (and most important) skills every guitarist needs. A well-tuned guitar sounds better, is more fun to play, and helps you train your ear from day one. 

At Martin, we make it easy for beginners with clip-on tuners, guitars that include built-in tuners (like models with our Martin E1 electronics), and helpful resources—like this blog post. 

The Basics: What Tuning Is (and What It Does) 

Guitars have six strings. When each string is tuned correctly, they work together to make chords and melodies sound the way they should. If even one string is off, your guitar can sound “wrong” or “off-key.” 

Each string is tuned to a specific note. From thickest (lowest) to thinnest (highest), the notes in standard tuning are: 

E - A - D - G - B - E 

A fun way to remember this is:  

Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie 



How to Tune Your Guitar: Step by Step 

Know Where to Turn 

Look at the headstock (the top end of the neck where the strings end). Each string is attached to a tuning machine, also called a tuning peg or simply a tuner. When you turn the knob, it tightens or loosens the corresponding string that’s wrapped around the post. 

• Tighten the string (turn slowly): the note gets higher. 
• Loosen the string (turn slowly): the note gets lower. 

Tip: Turn gently and always pluck the string while turning so you can hear what’s changing. 

Use a Clip-On Tuner 

The easiest way to tune is with a clip-on tuner, like the ones we sell at Martin. Here's how to use it: 

• Clip the tuner onto the headstock. 
• Turn it on. 
• Pluck one string at a time. The screen will show you what note it’s hearing. 
• Turn the tuning peg slowly until the tuner shows the correct note (E, A, D, G, B, or E). Most tuners use lights or a needle to show if you're flat (too low) or sharp (too high). 

And that’s it! Repeat for all six strings. 

Got a Martin with built-in electronics like our E1 system? Many models have a tuner built right into the guitar! Just push the tuner button, and you’re ready to go.

How to Tune Without a Tuner (With Help from Dave Doll) 

If you don’t have a tuner handy, you can still get the job done using your ears. 

In the Pro Tips video below, Martin Manufacturing Manager Dave Doll shares how he tunes his guitar by ear—starting with tuning the A string using a pitch pipe, then tuning the rest string by string. 

Here’s Dave’s basic method: 

• Tune the A string to a pitch pipe or other reference note. 
• Use frets to tune the others: 
• 6th string (low E): fret the 5th fret of E, play the open A to match 
• 4th string (D): fret the 5th fret of A, play the open D to match 
• 3rd string (G): fret the 5th fret of D, play the open G to match 
• 2nd string (B): fret the 4th fret of G, play the open B to match 
• 1st string (high E): fret the 5th fret of B, play the open E to match 

This method takes practice but helps develop your musical ear. Dave also explains how to use harmonics and even intervals to tune—great skills for later on. 

Watch the video below to see Dave’s full demo. 

How Often Should You Tune? 

Every time you play. Even if your guitar was in tune yesterday, it might be slightly off today. That’s totally normal. Changes in humidity, temperature, or just regular playing can knock it out of tune. 

Make tuning part of your warm-up routine! 

How to Keep Your Guitar in Tune Longer 

Once your guitar is in tune, you’ll want it to stay that way. Here are a few simple things you can do to help: 

• Change your strings regularly. Old strings lose their elasticity and don’t hold pitch as well, making your guitar go out of tune faster. 
• Stretch new strings gently. New strings need to settle in—lightly stretching them helps prevent sudden tuning slips while you play. 
• Keep your guitar safe from extreme conditions. Big changes in temperature or humidity can affect your guitar’s wood and cause the strings to loosen or tighten on their own. 
• Wipe down your strings after playing. This removes sweat and oils that can corrode the strings and shorten their lifespan (and tuning stability). 

What About Alternate Tunings? 

Once you’ve mastered standard tuning, there’s a whole world of alternate tunings like Drop D, DADGAD, and Open G. These give your guitar a totally different voice—but for now, stick to standard tuning and build confidence from there. 

Keep Learning with Martin 

Tuning might feel tricky at first, but it gets easier every time you do it. And once you're in tune, the real fun begins. 

Looking for your first guitar—or ready to upgrade? Check out our full Martin Guitar lineup or find a dealer near you to try one out in person. 

Want to keep learning? Martin Backstage members get exclusive access to The Martin Lesson Room powered by TrueFire—a growing library of guided lessons, tips, and techniques to help you unleash your inner artist. 

And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more lessons, behind the design videos, and pro tips from Dave and the Martin team! 

Until next time, happy playing—and tuning!