Standard bass tuning
| String | Note | Pitch | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th (5-string bass only) | B | B0 | 30.87 Hz |
| 4th (thickest on a 4-string) | E | E1 | 41.20 Hz |
| 3rd | A | A1 | 55.00 Hz |
| 2nd | D | D2 | 73.42 Hz |
| 1st (thinnest) | G | G2 | 98.00 Hz |
The lowest string of a four-string bass, E1, vibrates at about 41 Hz, half the frequency of the low E of a guitar.
Tune your bass in 4 steps
Choose the bass
In the tuner, pick the 4-string bass in standard tuning. On iPhone and iPad, you can also choose a 5-string bass.
Start with the thickest string
Pluck the E string (or the low B on a five-string) and let it ring.
Follow the needle
Too low: tighten the string. Too high: loosen it a little below the note, then bring it back up.
Tune A, D and G
Do the same for each string, then play them all once more and fix the ones that moved.
Tips for low notes
- Use an amplifier
- An unplugged electric bass is quiet. Guitar Tuner Pro recommends connecting electric instruments to an amplifier for better tuning. Otherwise, hold the phone very close to the strings.
- Pluck firmly, then wait
- Give the string one firm pluck and let it ring before you read the tuner. Mute the other strings with your hand.
- Come up to the note
- If a string is too high, loosen it a little below the note, then tighten it back up to the note.
Other bass tunings
Like guitarists, bass players sometimes lower one or all strings. Guitar Tuner Pro includes, among others:
| Tuning | Notes, thickest to thinnest |
|---|---|
| Drop D | D1 A1 D2 G2 |
| Half step down | D♯1 G♯1 C♯2 F♯2 |
| Whole step down | D1 G1 C2 F2 |
Standard tuning is free; the other tunings come with the subscription, or one at a time with a short video on Android.
Questions & answers
What are the notes of a bass guitar?
E, A, D and G on a four-string bass, from the thickest string to the thinnest. A five-string bass adds a low B: B, E, A, D, G.
Is a bass tuned like a guitar?
Its four strings play the same notes as the four lowest strings of a guitar, E A D G, one octave lower.
Can I tune a bass with my phone?
Yes. Choose the bass in a tuner app and play one string at a time. With an electric bass, play through an amplifier or keep the phone very close to the strings.
Can I tune a 5-string bass in Guitar Tuner Pro?
Yes, on iPhone and iPad. On Android, the tuner offers the 4-string bass.