How Is a Tenor Guitar Tuned?
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A tenor guitar is tuned C G D A, from the lowest string to the highest, in the same pattern as a viola. A chromatic clip-on tuner reads each string and shows whether it sits sharp or flat, and you turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads the right note.
The standard tuning is C G D A
A tenor guitar is tuned C, G, D and A, from the lowest string to the highest, in the same pattern as a viola. Tune the A string to 440 Hz, the standard pitch, and tune the other strings to the tuner from there. The KLIQ tuner in this guide has an octave display, so it shows which octave each string sits in.
Clip a chromatic tuner to the headstock
A chromatic tuner reads any note, so it works for tenor tuning where a guitar-only tuner may not. Clip the tuner to the headstock, where it reads the vibration of the wood rather than the sound in the room. The KLIQ tuner reads vibration and ignores background noise, and the Snark ST-8HPT has an anechoic sound shield for tuning with less room noise. Pluck a string and read the note on the display before you touch the peg.
Tune each string in turn
Start with the lowest string and work toward the highest, tuning each string to its note before you move on. Turn the peg slowly while you watch the tuner, and stop when the display shows the right note. If the tuner shows the right letter but the wrong octave, the KLIQ octave display tells you which octave the string sits in. Loosen a string that sits sharp, and tighten a string that sits flat.
Check the tuning across the strings
After the strings read true, pluck each string again and listen for a string that sounds off against the rest. A string that slipped will read flat on the tuner, so check it again and bring it back to its note. The KLIQ tuner calibrates from 430 to 450 Hz, and the Snark ST-8HPT calibrates at 432 and 442 Hz, so set the calibration to 440 Hz unless you need another pitch. Keep the tuner clipped on while you play, so a string that drifts is quick to catch.
The alternate D G B E tuning
Some players tune a tenor guitar D G B E, the same notes as the top strings of a standard guitar. The tuning suits players who already play standard guitar, and a chromatic tuner works the same way for it. Set the tuner to chromatic mode, tune each string to its note, and check the octave on the display. The KLIQ tuner has a dedicated guitar mode as well as a chromatic mode for other instruments.
What you need
KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
A rechargeable clip-on chromatic tuner with an octave display and a dedicated guitar mode, so it shows which octave each string sits in.
- Chromatic mode
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip On
Snark SIL-RED Silver Snark Chromatic Tuner Red
A chromatic tuner with a high resolution display that rotates 360 degrees and vulcanised rubber joints.
- Chromatic mode
Snark ST-8HPT High Precision Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
A rechargeable clip-on tuner with a bright screen and an anechoic sound shield for tuning with less room noise, with pitch calibration at 432 and 442 Hz.
- Rechargeable
- Tuner type: Clip-On
These come from our ranked list Best Tuners, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard tuning for a tenor guitar?
C G D A, from the lowest string to the highest. Tune each string to its note with a chromatic tuner, starting with the lowest string, and use 440 Hz as the pitch for A.
Can I use a guitar tuner on a tenor guitar?
Yes, if it is chromatic. A chromatic tuner reads any note, so it works for C G D A. The KLIQ tuner in this guide has a chromatic mode and an octave display, and the Snark SIL-RED is a chromatic tuner.
What is Chicago tuning on a tenor guitar?
D G B E, the same notes as the top strings of a standard guitar. It suits players who already play standard guitar, and you tune it the same way with a chromatic tuner.
Why does my tuner show the wrong octave?
The string may sit an octave above or below the note you want. The KLIQ tuner has an octave display that shows which octave the string sits in, so loosen or tighten the string until the display shows the right octave.
Ranked guitar tuners lists
More how-to guides
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