Guides & Resources
Practical tips and guides to help you tune faster, play better, and get the most out of your practice time.
How to practice strumming with a metronome (without losing the groove)
Strumming gets tight when you train steady downstrokes, subdivisions, and accents. Use our free online metronome to build rhythm, learn common patterns, and stop rushing chord changes.
All Guides
5-string bass standard tuning (B E A D G): tune the low B cleanly
Tune a 5-string bass to B E A D G with a free online tuner, plus practical tips for getting a clean low B, avoiding false readings, and staying in tune at rehearsal.
Ukulele low G tuning: what it is, how to tune, and why it sounds bigger
Low G tuning replaces the high re-entrant G with a lower G string for more range and fuller fingerpicking. Learn to tune low G with our online ukulele tuner and what changes in sound and technique.
Double Drop D tuning (D A D G B D): how to tune and play it
Double Drop D drops both E strings to D for big, droning chords and fingerstyle textures. Tune it in minutes with our free online tuner, then try simple shapes that sound great right away.
Whole-step down tuning (D): how to tune and keep it stable
Whole-step down (D standard) tuning drops every string to D G C F A D for a heavier sound and easier bends. Tune it fast with our free online tuner and avoid the common stability issues.
Online Tuner vs Clip-On Tuner: Which One Should You Use (and When to Buy One)?
A practical, musician-first comparison of online tuners vs clip-on tuners: accuracy, noisy rooms, live gigs, acoustic vs electric, and how to choose the best option for your situation.
Open D Tuning Guide (D A D F# A D) + Free Online Tuner
Open D tuning gives you a full D major chord when you strum open strings. Learn how to tune to D A D F# A D, play easy barre shapes, and use TuneMode’s Open D preset to stay locked in.
BEAD Bass Tuning (B E A D): Set Up & Tune a 4-String Like a 5-String
Need a low B without buying a 5-string? BEAD tuning turns a 4-string into the low four strings of a 5-string. Learn how to tune it, what strings you’ll need, and how to fix buzz and intonation.
Drop C Tuning Guide (C G C F A D) + Free Online Drop C Tuner
Tune to Drop C (C G C F A D) without getting lost: the easiest tuning path, chord shapes that work fast, and fixes for buzz and floppy strings.
Online Guitar Tuner Not Working? (Mic Fixes for iPhone, Chrome & Safari)
If an online tuner can’t “hear” your guitar, it’s usually mic permissions, the wrong input, or too much noise. Use this fast checklist to get TuneMode listening again.
How to use a custom tuner: build and save your own tuning in minutes
Set your string count, pick a target note for each string, and save the tuning to your browser. This is the fastest way to tune odd setups without guessing.
Drop D sounds muddy? 7 fixes before you blame your guitar
If Drop D feels floppy, muddy, or out of tune, the fix is usually tuning habits, muting, or setup. Here are seven practical fixes plus a tight practice drill.
Guitar intonation: how to tell if chords are out of tune (and what to do)
If open strings are in tune but chords up the neck sound wrong, intonation is the usual cause. Here is a quick check you can do with an online tuner, plus the fixes that make sense.
Metronome practice for cleaner chord changes (a routine you can keep)
A simple metronome routine that cleans up chord changes and strumming without turning practice into a math class.
Baritone ukulele tuning (D G B E): how to tune and what to play first
Baritone ukulele uses D G B E, the same as the top four strings of a guitar. Tune it fast with the right preset, then use simple chord shapes that sound full.
How to tune a ukulele (standard gCEA and low G)
Standard ukulele tuning is g C E A. Low G swaps the top string for a deeper sound. Here is how to tune both with a free online ukulele tuner.
How to tune a guitar by ear (and check yourself with an online tuner)
A practical by-ear tuning method for standard tuning, plus how to use a free online tuner to confirm and fix small errors.
How often should you tune your guitar, bass, or ukulele?
Tune every time you play, but you do not need a 10-minute ritual. Here is a simple routine that keeps you in tune without killing your practice time.
Drop C vs Drop D: which one fits your riffs (and how to tune both)
Drop D is quick and keeps most standard shapes. Drop C is lower, heavier, and needs more setup care. Here is how to tune both and avoid the usual problems.
Half-step down tuning (Eb): how to tune and when to use it
Half-step down (Eb) tuning keeps your chord shapes the same while lowering pitch and string tension. Here is how to tune it fast with a free online tuner.
Open G tuning on guitar (how to tune, chords, and slide tips)
Tune to Open G (D G D G B D) step by step, learn the core barre chords, and get practical slide tips without the theory dump.
DADGAD tuning for beginners (chords + online tuner)
Tune to DADGAD (D A D G A D) step by step, then use simple chord shapes and drones that sound good fast.
Why Your Guitar Won’t Stay in Tune
The most common reasons guitars drift out of tune, quick fixes you can do yourself, and when to see a tech — plus how to keep things stable with TuneMode’s online guitar tuner.
Bass Tuning Basics (Standard, Drop & How to Use an Online Bass Tuner)
Standard tuning for 4-, 5-, and 6-string basses, common drop tunings, and a step-by-step guide to tuning with TuneMode’s free online bass tuner.
Drop D Tuning Guide (Step-by-Step + Online Drop D Tuner)
Fast path to Drop D (D A D G B E) with the TuneMode Drop D tuner, plus riffs, chords, and troubleshooting.
How to Tune a Guitar (Step-by-Step + Online Tuner)
Fast, reliable standard tuning (E A D G B E) using the TuneMode Online Guitar Tuner plus fixes for common tuning problems.
Design Your Own Custom Tuning
Tips for experimenting with string counts, octaves, and offsets.
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