Guitar tuning · also EAEAC#E
Guitar Open A (E A E A C♯ E) Tuning
Open-chord tuning a whole step above open G — useful for slide in A.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E2 | 82.41 Hz | 40 | perfect fourth | |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | 45 | perfect fifth | |
| 4 | E3 | 164.81 Hz | 52 | perfect fourth | |
| 3 | A3 | 220.00 Hz | 57 | major third | |
| 2 | C♯4 | 277.18 Hz | 61 | minor third | |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 64 | — |
Strings listed 6 → 1 (low E to high E). Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament.
Fretboard note map
| String | Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E |
| 2 | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ |
| 3 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 4 | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E |
| 5 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 6 | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E |
How to tune to Open A (E A E A C♯ E)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to E2, A2, E3, A3, C♯4, E4.
- Tune up to each pitch: if you overshoot, drop below and come back up so the string settles.
- Check every string once more — changing the tension of one string slightly pulls the others.
- Big changes from standard tuning stretch strings: give them a minute and re-tune.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of Open A (E A E A C♯ E) tuning?
E2 (82.41 Hz), A2 (110.00 Hz), E3 (164.81 Hz), A3 (220.00 Hz), C♯4 (277.18 Hz), E4 (329.63 Hz).
How do I tune a guitar to Open A (E A E A C♯ E)?
Tune each string to the pitches above with a chromatic tuner, starting from the lowest string; then re-check, because changing one string's tension slightly detunes the others.