Tuning a 12-string guitar can seem overwhelming at first. But with the information in this guide, you’ll be able to easily tune your 12-string guitar in a number of different tunings.
To tune a 12-string guitar in standard, remember that the strings come in pairs. Tune the first set of strings to normal 6-string tuning (E A D G B E). Then tune the lower four paired strings an octave higher (E A D G). Finally, tune the higher two paired strings the same as normal (B & E).
In this guide, I’ll go through some common tunings for 12-string guitars, different types of tuners you can use, and other helpful tips.
E Chords Guitar Tuner
When you’re ready to learn some songs, check out this list of the Top 12-String Guitar Songs. Guitar TAB is included for each song so you can learn the 12-string guitar parts straight away.
If you understand the difference between a 6 string and 12 string guitar, you will find it easy to tune your 12-string guitar in any tuning.
The main difference between a 6 and 12 string guitar is that a 12 string guitar has an extra set of strings paired together. There are 6 pairs of strings on a 12-string guitar.
How To Tune A 7 String Guitar (songs, Alternate Tunings, Diagrams)
Notice that each pair of strings has a gap before the next pair of strings. You may also notice that the lower four pairs of strings are uneven in thickness. There is a thin string paired with a thick string. This is important to remember when tuning your guitar as the thinner strings are tuned to a higher note.
When you play a 12-string guitar, you don’t think about 12 individual strings. Instead, you think of 6 pairs of strings and you play each pair as if it were a single string on a normal guitar.
Once you learn how to tune a 12-string guitar, you can use any alternate tuning listed for 6-string guitars. Check out this Guide to Alternate Guitar Tunings for a list of open and other alternate tunings. Simply follow the advice in this guide and you can use any of those tunings on your 12-string guitar.
Half Step Down Tuning
The most common tuning for a 12-string guitar is Standard Tuning. This makes your 12-string guitar play the same as a normal guitar in Standard Tuning.
The key point to remember when tuning a 12-string guitar to standard is that each string is part of a pair. You don’t tune 12 individual strings, you tune 6 pairs of strings. Thinking about it this way makes it a lot easier.
This means we tune the lowest string, E, an octave higher than the thicker E string. Then when you play those two strings together, you will hear that they both ring out in harmony. The sound you hear when both are in tune is an octave difference between the notes.
Open D Tuning On Guitar
The uppercase letters are tuned to normal 6-string guitar tuning. The lowercase letters represent notes that are tuned an octave higher than normal.
After you try this once or twice, it will start to make sense and you’ll quickly feel comfortable with tuning your 12-string guitar.
If you’re ready to try to tune your guitar, skip ahead to the section on how to tune a 12-string guitar with a tuner.
How To Tune A 12 String Guitar: Ultimate Visual Guide
The reason a lot of older 12-string guitar songs are tuned a half-step down is because of the tension standard tuning places on the guitar’s neck.
Having the tension of 12 strings pulling is a great strain on the guitar, so it used to be common to tune 12-string guitars down to take some tension off of the neck.
Tuning a 12-string guitar down a half-step is also a great way to get used to playing it. If you find your fingers hurt when playing a 12-string guitar, try tuning down to give your fingers some relief.
Ultimate Eb Tuning (e Flat) Resource: Chords, Songs, Diagrams
To tune a 12-string guitar a half-step down, tune your guitar as normal, then tune every string down a semitone (or half-step). This means E becomes E-flat (Eb), A becomes A-flat (Ab) and so on.
We still tune the strings as if there are six pairs and the lower four pairs are tuned an octave apart. The only difference between this tuning and standard tuning is each string is a half-step lower.
First, tune your 12-string guitar to standard, following the above steps. Then lower the low-E pair of strings down a whole-step to D. All other strings remain the same.
How To Tune Guitar In Half Step Down Tuning (d#g#c#f#a#d#)
As you can see, only the lowest pair of strings change. The pair is still an octave apart, only this time they are tuned to D.
You can tune a 12-string guitar to any open tuning you want. As long as you remember to tune the string in pairs and tune the lower four pairs an octave apart, you can use any open tuning.
Pick the above open tuning you want and tune the pair of strings as needed. Remember that the lower four pairs need to be an octave apart and the higher two pairs are tuned the same.
Tune Guitar Half Step Down
If you haven’t tried an open tuning on a 12-string guitar before, I highly recommend it (DADGAD is my favorite). They sound great on 12-strings.
The best way to tune a 12-string guitar is with a chromatic tuner. Most modern guitar tuners should have a chromatic mode.
A chromatic tuner is a guitar tuner that works for any note (Eg: C#, F, Bb, etc). This is great for tuning a 12-string guitar because four of the strings are tuned an octave higher than normal tuning.
Guitar 101:tuning Your Guitar
To tune a 12-string guitar with a chromatic tuner, simply pick each string individually and the tuner will tell you what the current note is.
Then all you need to know is what to tune the string up or down to. I highly recommend starting with the strings tuned to normal 6-string tuning.
Once you have those strings tuned correctly, you can tune the paired strings. This will help you make sure you’re tuning the paired strings to the correct pitch.
How To Tune Your Guitar A Half Step Down: 3 Easy Methods
Remember that the lower four paired strings need to be an octave higher. So first, tune them so they are the same as the paired strings, then continue to raise them until they are an octave higher.
There are some guitar tuner apps designed specifically for 12-string guitars. Searching for ‘guitar tuner 12 string’ in the app store will bring up a few different options.
Even if the app you use doesn’t have a 12-string guitar feature, you can use any chromatic guitar tuner app. For example, the below screenshots of iStroboSoft’s tuner app is a chromatic tuner and works perfectly with a 12-string guitar.
Guitar Fretboard / Fingerboard Diagram Generator
You simply choose the tuning you want to set it to, then hold it over each string and it will automatically tune it to pitch as shown below:
You can create custom tunings for 12-string or any other instruments, so if you want to add something like Open E or DADGAD, it’s pretty simple.
It used to be common to tune 12-string guitars down a half step or even a whole step. This was to reduce the tension the extra strings placed on the guitar’s neck.
What Chords Are These? The Song Is On Half Step Down Tuning. D#/g#/c#/f#/a#/d#
You don’t need to tune a modern 12-string guitar down unless you want to. Modern 12-string guitars are designed to withstand the tension created from standard tuning.
While you don’t have to tune a 12-string guitar down, there are many 12 string songs that do use lower tunings. Tuning your guitar down will let you play those songs properly.
The good news about tuning a 12-string guitar down is that you can easily use a capo to continue to play your guitar in standard tuning.
Guitar Tuning ( Half Step Down
I personally prefer to tune my 12-string guitar down a whole-step so I can play all songs written for lower tunings or standard tuning (with a capo).
Yes, you can put 6 strings on a 12-string guitar and play it as a normal guitar. The guitar may feel strange to play due to the wider fretboard, but it will work.
I used to do this when the only acoustic guitar I had was a 12-string. I would remove the paired strings and keep the remaining strings in standard tuning.
F# Guitar Chord (half Step Down Tuning)
As you can see in the above photo, I also shifted the strings over on the nut so the strings would feel more comfortable on the guitar. The strings feel incredibly awkward if left in their normal positions. Shifting the strings over isn’t recommended as it will damage the nut, but back then I didn’t have money for a 6-string acoustic, so it was my only option.
A nice benefit of playing a 12-string guitar with 6 strings is that you have plenty of room for your fingers between the strings. This makes playing chords more comfortable (for me, at least).
You may need to adjust the truss rod if you remove the extra strings as the reduction in tension will affect your guitar’s relief.
Your Guitar Tuned Half Step Down
Beginners will find 12-string guitars harder to play than 6 string guitars. The extra strings require far more pressure from your fingers to ring out clearly.
You can make a 12-string guitar easier to play by tuning it down. By tuning down a half step or
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