Half step down tuning
E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭ · the tuner below is already set to Half step down. Tap Start tuner and play a string.
Play a string
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Plug in a headset or use a phone or laptop with a built-in microphone. Until then, the reference notes let you tune by ear.
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All strings in tune. Happy playing!
Reference notes
Tap a note, play the same string and turn the peg until the two sounds stop “beating” against each other.
Notes and frequencies in Half step down
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | MIDI | From standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E♭₂ | 77.78 | 39 | −1 |
| 5 | A♭₂ | 103.83 | 44 | −1 |
| 4 | D♭₃ | 138.59 | 49 | −1 |
| 3 | G♭₃ | 185.00 | 54 | −1 |
| 2 | B♭₃ | 233.08 | 58 | −1 |
| 1 | E♭₄ | 311.13 | 63 | −1 |
Frequencies in equal temperament with A4 = 440 Hz. If you calibrate A4, the tuner shifts every target with it.
From standard tuning to Half step down
- Lower every string by a half step: E₂ → E♭₂, A₂ → A♭₂, D₃ → D♭₃, G₃ → G♭₃, B₃ → B♭₃, E₄ → E♭₄.
- Check every string once more with the tuner: changing the tension of some strings pulls the others slightly.
About Half step down
Half step down, or E♭ tuning, lowers every string by a semitone: E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭. Shapes stay the same and everything sounds a half step lower. Many classic rock and blues players tune this way: the slightly lower tension makes bends easier and the tone warmer, and it lets singers reach the top notes of a song more comfortably. If you play along with recordings that sound a little “between the notes” of your guitar, they were probably recorded in E♭.
Tuning tips
Strings that change pitch for Half step down change tension too, and a lowered string may buzz or feel loose. Tune slightly below the note and come back up so the gear holds, and give the neck a few minutes to settle before you check again.
Use Auto mode: the tuner already knows the notes of Half step down and picks the nearest string. If a string is far off, tap its chip to lock it in Manual mode, then turn the peg until the needle centres.