The first step is to make your A or lower E string sound the same as a known A or E note. You can use a keyboard, or find Queen’s “Tie Your Mother Down” on youtube and tune your A string to the main note being played. Once you have that it is simple:

The 5th fret on all strings (except the G string) should sound the same as the open string of the next lower string. For example, the 5th fret on your A string should sound the same as the note of the open D string. The only exception is that you have to use the 4th fret on the G string to tune your B string. If you tune your A string first…just tune going down the strings to the high E, then tune your lower E string by holding the 5th fret and comparing it to the already tuned A string being played open.

You may notice that some artists de-tune their guitar a little. For example, George Lynch from Dokken is known for tuning his guitar down one or two frets. So when he plays his open A string it is really an A#. So DO NOT use any Dokken song to try to standard tune your guitar. Also, live performances aren’t always in tune. It is better to rely on a studio album that you know what key the song is in to use as a guide.

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