If you play bass guitar, chances are it is tuned to E-A-D-G as standard tuning is an industry standard and works great both live performances and studio recording sessions.
Utilize a tuner to tune each string. Begin with the low E string and proceed through all of them in turn.
E-A-D-G
Bass guitars typically remain in tune longer than their acoustic guitar counterparts, yet still need to be tuned regularly. When out of tune, notes may sound dissonant or out of sync with what should be expected. To tune a bass efficiently and properly, use a tuner’s green light indicator to set each string’s pitch pitch accordingly; once all eight strings have their pitches correct you will be ready to go and ready to play!
Standard bass tuning is E-A-D-G and most professional musicians rely on this configuration of tuning for their instruments. But basses can also be tuned to other keys, altering its tone depending on which song or song set one wants to perform; bassists often utilize “drop tuning” techniques so as to play power chords more easily by only placing one finger per string.
Drop tunings give bassists an extended lower range. On a four string bass, this can be achieved by adding a low B string and tuning all other strings down one step – popular among metal music artists but can also be applied across genres. Although frequent switching may wear down cores of wound strings faster, leading to costly replacement costs down the road.
Tuning forks or pitch pipes can help get your bass guitar in tune, but it is still crucial that you check each string’s pitch by ear for accuracy. While this requires some practice, this method often yields the best results. Also compare each string’s pitch against its harmonic at the 7th fret; these should all match. If they do not, your bass guitar may be out of tune.
Heavier Sound – Basses tend to be thicker than guitars, which allows them to achieve a deeper tone. Many bassists opt to tune their instruments down half or full step for an aggressive sound; or simply tune up to higher pitches for melodic accompaniment.
Bass guitars may also be tuned to other keys, including D and C. These tunings are often utilized by bassists who play metal and are based around the premise that each string’s harmonic should match that of its neighbour at the 7th fret.
A typical bass tuning is E-A-D-G, though other types may also be used by bassists. For example, 5-string basses may be tuned to B0-E1-A2-D2-G2-C3 to produce an extended lower range while still using standard tuning. Some bassists also utilize tenor basses tuned B0-E1-A2-D2-G2-C4, often used by jazz and Latin musicians; rock/metal bassists may opt for D-A-D-G as another tuning option.