How to Tune a Bass Guitar
Tuning a bass guitar is a fairly straightforward process, and it is one that you should do every time that you pick up your instrument. There’s nothing more terrible sounding than a bass that is out of tune!
Tuning is a process where you change the tension on the strings in order to have them produce the correct note. Typically you would start by tuning up the lowest (thickest) string. Using our bass tuner app (especially in Auto mode) you will easily be able to tell how far out of tune you are. If your note is flat (the pitch being played is lower than the correct note), then you would add tension to the string by tightening the tuning machine on the headstock. The opposite is true if your note is sharp, where the note is higher than needed. In this case, you would decrease the tension until it’s just right.
Most bass guitars are set up for ‘standard’ tuning. Alternate tunings can be used as your playing skills and understanding of music theory progresses, but ‘standard’ tuning is the most common way to tune.
Looking at your bass strings from low to high, you will be tuning to these notes:
• Fourth (thickest) string: E
• Third string: A
• Second string: D
• First string (thinnest): G
Our bass tuner is just one part of what you’ll get when you download GuitarTuna – you’ll also find an easy-to-use metronome to keep time while you practice as well. With an incredible bass tuner and other additional features, why wait? Download the GuitarTuna app today!
