Estimated reading time 4 minutes
Table of Contents
Guitar Tuner Online (Standard Guitar Tuning) #1: Introduction
Do you want to tune your guitar online? If you want to tune your guitar to normal standard tuning in equal temperament, I’ve got you covered. However, did you know that professional guitarists have other ways of getting into standard tuning, so that their guitars will sound better? Go to the next three sections of Guitar Tuner Online: Standard Guitar Tuning and tune up the different versions of standard tuning using the online guitar tuners below.
Pick your tuning:
“Why should I use different versions of standard tuning?” Because that way you can choose the style and sound of your tuning:
- In the next three sections, you’ll find the soundtrack buttons that’ll help you tune eight different versions of standard tuning.
- Each version has a quick description with a link to a post that has information on the playing style that works with it and how to tune it by ear.
- Try them all to compare and see which you like best.
Technically, standard guitar tuning and regular guitar tuning (or just regular tuning) are two different things.
- However, many people (including Google) treat them as identical.
- If you typed “guitar regular tuning,” and you meant the tuning that everybody uses, then you’ve found the right guitar tuner website.
You’ll find the traditional equal tempered version in the next section.
This article uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
Guitar Tuner Online (Standard Guitar Tuning) #2: How to Use the Tuner
How to Use the Guitar Tuner Online:
“How do I tune my guitar online?” Click the buttons below and compare the sound of the note on your string to the sound when you press the button.
- The pictures above will give you a guide to the strings.
- Make sure the sound of your strings matches the sound you get when you press the buttons.
- Listen for beating between the two notes. Adjust your string’s machine head to a higher or lower pitch until the beating between the notes goes away.
“Is there a difference between standard acoustic guitar tuning and electric guitar standard tuning?” No, the various versions are style based, not instrument based.
Equal Temperament:
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
Use this version when you want to play chromatic styles like jazz or classical.
Guitar Tuner Online (Standard Guitar Tuning) #3: Popular Versions
This section is based on tunings that recording artists have used.
Be aware that these are micro-tuned strings:
- Each string, such as G3 or D4, will still sound like itself in isolation.
- You won’t notice the difference until you start playing chords.
- For example, the country blues version will sound really good when you play an open E chord or the E-form barre chords. See each link for playing tips.
Country Blues:
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
Try this version when you’re playing Robert Johnson, Son House, or Mississippi John Hurt:
‘70s Progressive Rock:
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
Use this online guitar tuner when playing your favorite Rush songs. This version can support multiple chord shapes:
Rock Guitar Tuned with the 5th and 7th Fret Harmonics:
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
Many rock guitarists tune using the 5th and 7th fret harmonics. This popular variation lets you use a variety of open and barre chord shapes while making many of your major chords sound better:
Parlor Guitar Style:
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
This version of standard guitar tuning is over 150 years old. To make it sound good, you’ll need to use broken chords. See the song at this link for an example:
Guitar Tuner Online (Standard Guitar Tuning) #4: the Experimental Section
This section uses the Supplemented Equal Temperament (SET) intonation system.
Once again, you won’t hear the difference from a normal sounding guitar until you start playing chords.
SET Rock Guitar Chords (10 Cent Resolution):
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
This experimental standard guitar tuning allows you to have better sounding E-form barre chords but at the expense of open chord shapes. Try it with distortion. It sounds awesome!
To learn what 2 and 10 Cent Resolution means, read:
SET Rock Guitar Chords (2 Cent Resolution):
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
The 2 Cent Resolution E-form barre chords sound even better with distortion than the 10 Cent Resolution. When using SET, you can also tune your synths so your whole band sounds better in tune. To learn how to do this in the 2 Cent Resolution:
SET Multiple Chord Shapes:
E1:
B2:
G3:
D4:
A5:
E6:
This SET online guitar tuner has been optimized for using multiple open chords that’ll sound better than the equal tempered version. However, the chords won’t sound as good as the previous two tunings.
Guitar Tuner Online (Standard Guitar Tuning) #5: Final Thoughts
I’ll leave you with these thoughts on Guitar Tuner Online (Standard Guitar Tuning):
- These tuning templates are a free resource.
- Standard tuning doesn’t have to be limited to equal temperament.
- These tunings have been used by many recording artists.
- Alternate versions of standard tuning have been around for a long time.
- Some styles of music work better in one version versus another.
- Start by getting the sound of each version in your ear, using the soundtrack buttons to tune up. Then, you can follow the links to the posts that’ll teach you how to tune them by ear.
- Give them a try and see which ones are your favorites.
Have fun playing!
Related Posts
- How to Tune Like a Rock Star
- Play Like a Rock Star with Open G Tuning
- Sound Like a Rock Star with Open G Tuning
- Tune Your Ukulele Like a Hawaiian
- Tune Your Guitar Like a Hawaiian
- How to Tune C Wahine Like a Hawaiian
- Tune Like an Authentic Bluegrass Banjo Player
© 2023 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
Glossary
Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies
Do you want to sing blues, gospel, or even mediaeval melodies? Are you confused about how modes work? Modes have the exotic feel of world music and music from ancient times. "Singing Shape Note Solfege Mixolydian Melodies" helps you discover the sound of the modes. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Read More
What Purpose Do Accidentals Serve in Reading Sheet Music?
“What purpose do accidentals serve in reading sheet music?” Sharps, flats, and naturals (collectively called accidentals) grew out of a problem that needed to be fixed in the mediaeval music notation. The music theorists of the time slapped their fix onto the preexisting notation system, and that fix is still with us to this day. However, having confused generations of budding musicians, the results of the fix leave a lot to be desired. Click to answer the question, “What purpose do accidentals serve in reading sheet music?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
What Precisely Is the Purpose of Solfege?
“What precisely is the purpose of solfege?” Solfege has an important role in music education, allowing vocalists to develop sight singing skills. A solfege syllable acts as a mnemonic device to help you sight read sheet music. Read more to learn why they invented solfege and how the syllables work. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Read More
A Note Contains Many Pitches: Singing in Tune
Want to sing in tune? Knowledge is power. The following post talks about how singers group pitches as they perform. Read more to find out how the fact that a note contains many pitches can impact singing in tune. Estimated reading time 7 minutes.
Read More