Classical guitar tuner
Nylon strings do not behave like steel strings: they stretch more and take longer to settle. This microphone tuner helps you bring them to pitch, one string at a time.
The microphone is only requested when you tap the button. Sound is analysed on your device; nothing is recorded. Open the full app
Tuning a classical guitar step by step
- Rest the guitar on your leg as if to play and place the phone 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches) from the soundhole.
- Start with the A string (5th string), often the most stable, then continue with D, G, B, high E and low E.
- Pluck the string with the flesh of your thumb rather than the nail: the tone is rounder, with fewer high overtones, and the reading settles faster.
- If the note is sharp, go clearly below the target, then come back up slowly to the center.
- Once all six strings are in tune, wait a minute and go through them again: nylon keeps moving right after tuning.
Notes and frequencies
| String | Note (A4 = 440) | Solfège (La3 = 440) | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E2 | Mi1 | 82.41 |
| 2 | A2 | La1 | 110.00 |
| 3 | D3 | Ré2 | 146.83 |
| 4 | G3 | Sol2 | 196.00 |
| 5 | B3 | Si2 | 246.94 |
| 6 | E4 | Mi3 | 329.63 |
Strings in physical order, from the lowest in playing position. Frequencies calculated at A = 440 Hz in equal temperament. Tune to “Standard”
| String | Note (A4 = 440) | Solfège (La3 = 440) | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D2 | Ré1 | 73.42 |
| 2 | A2 | La1 | 110.00 |
| 3 | D3 | Ré2 | 146.83 |
| 4 | G3 | Sol2 | 196.00 |
| 5 | B3 | Si2 | 246.94 |
| 6 | E4 | Mi3 | 329.63 |
Strings in physical order, from the lowest in playing position. Frequencies calculated at A = 440 Hz in equal temperament. Tune to “Low D (drop D)”
| String | Note (A4 = 440) | Solfège (La3 = 440) | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♭2 | Mi♭1 | 77.78 |
| 2 | A♭2 | La♭1 | 103.83 |
| 3 | D♭3 | Ré♭2 | 138.59 |
| 4 | G♭3 | Sol♭2 | 185.00 |
| 5 | B♭3 | Si♭2 | 233.08 |
| 6 | E♭4 | Mi♭3 | 311.13 |
Strings in physical order, from the lowest in playing position. Frequencies calculated at A = 440 Hz in equal temperament. Tune to “Half step down”
Notes and frequencies
A classical guitar is tuned exactly like an acoustic guitar: E, A, D, G, B, E, from low to high. The 6th string is E2 at 82.41 Hz, the 4th is D3 at 146.83 Hz and the 1st is E4 at 329.63 Hz. The three bass strings are metal-wound nylon, the three treble strings plain nylon or fluorocarbon.
The tuner uses A4 = 440 Hz by default. If you play with a baroque ensemble or an organ tuned differently, set the reference anywhere between 415 and 466 Hz: all the strings follow.
Why nylon strings go out of tune so much
Nylon is an elastic material. A new string can drop a semitone or more within a few minutes, and it usually takes several days of playing to settle. That is normal and not a sign of a faulty tuning machine.
To speed things up, bring the string to pitch, then gently pull it upward at the middle of its length, without forcing, and retune. Repeat three or four times. Avoid deliberately tuning above the note to “get ahead”, though: it tires the string and can damage it at the bridge.
Which way to turn on a slotted headstock
A classical guitar has a slotted headstock with two strips of three tuners, one on each side. The strings wrap around horizontal rollers and the two sides turn as mirror images: the same wrist motion tightens a string on one side and loosens a string on the other.
For the string to hold, it should wind over the top of the roller, coming from the inside of the headstock, and a few wraps are enough. The tuner shows the matching diagram and, while you turn, confirms whether the note is rising or falling. This is especially useful when restringing, when you are no longer sure which way you wound the string.
Drop D and other tunings on classical guitar
Many pieces in the classical and Latin American repertoire ask you to lower the 6th string to D: this is drop D, common in transcriptions and pieces in D major. The low string then drops to 73.42 Hz (D2). Check it by comparing the 12th-fret harmonic on the 6th string with the open 4th string: both should give the same D.
Some scores also call for the 5th string in G or the 3rd string in F♯ (to imitate lute tuning). Build these tunings in custom mode: you can recall them in one tap or send them to your teacher as a link.
Tips for students and teachers
- Guided mode moves from one string to the next automatically, ideal for a child learning to tune on their own.
- The large-number display is readable from a distance, handy when the phone sits on the music stand.
- The reference tone plays the target note: students can compare by ear before looking at the screen.
- A metronome and tap tempo are built in, with no need to switch apps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tune a classical guitar with an acoustic guitar tuner?
Yes, the notes are the same (E, A, D, G, B, E). Only the behavior of the strings differs: nylon needs more patience and more retuning.
Why does my new string keep going flat?
Nylon stretches under tension for several days. Retune often, gently stretch the string by hand and make sure the knot at the bridge is tight.
Should I pluck with the nail or the flesh of the thumb when tuning?
The flesh of the thumb gives a softer sound that is easier to analyze. Pluck halfway between the soundhole and the bridge, without muting the string.
My G string sounds out of tune in chords even though it is in tune open. Is that normal?
The plain nylon G string is known for being temperamental, especially when worn. If the problem persists with a new string, have a luthier check the guitar's intonation.
Does my phone pick up the low strings of a classical guitar well?
The low E at 82.41 Hz sits in the range where phone microphones get weaker. Move the phone closer to the soundhole or play the 12th-fret harmonic, which the tuner knows how to interpret.
What reference pitch should I use to play with a harpsichord?
Baroque instruments often play at A = 415 Hz. Set the tuner reference to 415 Hz before tuning, otherwise you will be about a semitone sharp.