How to Tune a Bass Guitar

This material seeks to answer your question on how to tune a
bass guitar. Well since I don't know exactly how many strings
are on your bass guitar I shall present you with different
options, namely, 4-string, 5 string, 6 string, and 7 string
basses.

First of all we shall look at the standard tuning of bass
guitars.

The standard tuning of a four string bass guitar from highest
(thinnest string) to lowest (fattest string) is G-D-A-E.

On a five string bass the tunings are similar with the addition
of a low B string.

On a six string bass guitar, a thinner (higher pitched) string
is added, and is tuned to C. In other words on a 6 string bass
guitar the settings are B-E-A-D-G-C, where B is the fattest
string or lowest note and C the highest and thinnest.

On a 7-string bass a high F-string is added. The settings on a
7-string bass are B-E-A-D-G-C-F where B is the lowest and F the
highest.

Tuning your bass is all about matching the pitch of your
instrument to that of a bass guitar tuner, pitch pipe, tuning
fork or a correctly tuned piano or keyboard. If you do not have
a tuner or keyboard instrument, you can find an online tuner by
doing a search.

Now all you have to do is match the pitch of the strings to the
corresponding notes on your tuner. Hopefully your ears are
sufficiently developed (musically), for you to hear this. When
the note on your bass is the same as that of your tuner, the
vibration patterns will match and you will hear no wah-wah-wah
sound when you play the two notes. There will be no clash
between the two notes.

So how do you tune your bass?

Loosen the string and tune up to the correct note. In other
words your string should be well below the correct pitch and
only then do you begin to tighten. That way you avoid breakage
by tightening the string too much. Listen carefully to make sure
the two pitches match and that there is no wah-wah-wah or
clashing sound between the two notes.

As long as the notes are in sync, you will hear no wah-wah-wah
sound. But if you pass the in tune point, you will begin to hear
that undesired sound again, and it means that you will have to
loosen on the string a little until you get back to the in tune
point.

Tune all your strings one by one by matching the sound of the
strings to the corresponding note on your tuner.

Tuning your bass is not hard. But as with any other instrument
it involves practice. And of course, practice makes perfect.
After a while you may find that you do not even have to rely on
an electronic tuner to tune your bass. Hope you found this guide
useful. Good luck.