A standard tuning

A standard: the strings and their notes

A standard, step by step

What A standard is

A standard is standard tuning a perfect fifth down: A D G C E A, every string seven semitones lower, the 6th string at A1 (55 Hz), the same note as a bass guitar's open A. The intervals between strings are standard's, so every shape works. It sounds like a baritone, because it is one: on a regular guitar every string would keep only 45 % of its tension, far too slack.

Baritone guitars, with necks of 27 to 30 inches and heavy sets, are made for B or A standard; country and surf players use them for twangy low melodies, metal players for weight. The baritone guitar tuner has both.

How to tune to A standard from standard

With the tuner above: tap Start, play each string the table changes and turn until the needle sits in the middle. By ear, without the tuner:

1. Tune the 6th string to A1 first, from the tone of the string chip above (tap it with the tuner stopped) or a piano.
2. 5th string: A2 to D2. The 6th string at its 5th fret (D2) should sound like this string open.
3. 4th string: D3 to G2. The 5th string at its 5th fret (G2) should sound like this string open.
4. 3rd string: G3 to C3. The 4th string at its 5th fret (C3) should sound like this string open.
5. 2nd string: B3 to E3. The 3rd string at its 4th fret (E3) should sound like this string open.
6. 1st string: E4 to A3. The 2nd string at its 5th fret (A3) should sound like this string open.

Then check the whole tuning once more with the tuner: retuning one string moves the neck, and the others drift a few cents.

On the same strings, tension follows the square of the pitch: every string keeps 45 % of its pull. Slacker strings buzz and read flat at the attack; for more than a whole step down, a heavier set (or at least a heavier low string) keeps the feel.

What one finger plays

Every chord shape you know keeps working; it sounds 7 semitones lower. A capo at the 7th fret brings you back to standard pitch, which is how players in A standard join a band that plays in standard.

A standard and its neighbours

• A fourth below standard is B standard; A standard is a whole step below that.
• The drop version on a six-string is drop A, A E A D F♯ B: only its low string is at A.
• Reading 55 Hz: on a phone the tuner listens an octave up and folds the note back down; pluck firmly.

All six strings in standard and the other tunings: the guitar tuner. Any note at all: the chromatic tuner.

Then play something

The notes you tuned can go into Brumm as a short melody over a beat. Hum a line on top and it becomes an instrument.

The microphone is read in the browser and nothing is kept. How the site counts visits.