Relative tuning

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Among the different guitar tuning methods, relative tuning or the so-called "5th-Fret Method", is perhaps the most common and fundamental. If one string of your guitar is in tune, it's possible to tune the other strings in relation to it. That's why it is called relative tuning - being able to tune the guitar in relation to itself. Relative tuning is good because it is easy to get the guitar in tune.


When you tune your guitar using the 5th-fret method, you must choose one string as your starting point or base reference to tune all other strings. It can be any of the strings but we normally use the 6th string for this method. The pitch of the base string is left as is and all other strings are tuned relative to it. This method, however, has limitations because if the base string is not tuned to the standard pitch then the guitar will only be in tune to itself and not with other instruments.

Here’s how to get your guitar in tune by using the fifth-fret method (use the diagram as a guide):

1. Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string. Sound both the 6th and the 5th string together. Adjust the tuning peg of the 5th string accordingly until they sound the same.
2. Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string to Tune the D(4th string). Adjust the tuning peg of the 5th string accordingly until they sound the same.
3. Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string to Tune the G(3rd string). Adjust the tuning peg of the 5th string accordingly until they sound the same.
4. Place your finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string to Tune the B(2nd string). "This is the only string at which you do not use the 5th fret." Adjust the tuning peg of the 5th string accordingly until they sound the same.
5. Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string to tune the E(1st string). Adjust the tuning peg of the 5th string accordingly until they sound the same.

After you are done with the 1st string, you may want to go back and repeat the process, because some strings may have slipped out of tune.

Good luck!