Bass tuner
Standard bass tuning is E A D G, an octave below the guitar’s four lowest strings. Start the tuner, pluck one string firmly, and centre the needle.
Bass string notes and frequencies
| String | Note | Hz | 12th-fret harmonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low B (5-string only) | B0 | 30.87 | B1 · 61.7 Hz |
| 4 | E1 | 41.20 | E2 · 82.4 Hz |
| 3 | A1 | 55.00 | A2 · 110.0 Hz |
| 2 | D2 | 73.42 | D3 · 146.8 Hz |
| 1 | G2 | 98.00 | G3 · 196.0 Hz |
Low bass notes carry most of their energy in overtones, and small speakers and mics often miss the fundamental entirely. That’s why tuners can briefly read an octave or a fifth off on the low strings. MelodyMake snaps the reading to the nearest string of your chosen tuning to avoid that. If it still wanders, play the 12th-fret harmonic, which rings at exactly double the frequency.
Lock in with a drummer using the beat maker or the metronome.
Questions
What are the notes of a bass guitar?
A standard 4-string bass is tuned E1 A1 D2 G2, the same note names as the four lowest guitar strings but one octave lower. A 5-string adds a low B0; a 6-string adds a high C3 as well.
Why does the tuner struggle with my low E or B string?
The low E is about 41 Hz and the low B about 31 Hz, below what many phone and laptop microphones pick up well. Pluck firmly over the pickups or near the mic, mute other strings, and give the reading a second to settle. You can also tune the 12th-fret harmonic, which is an octave higher and easier to detect.
How do I tune a bass using harmonics?
Lightly touch the string above the 5th fret and pluck to get a harmonic; it should match the 7th-fret harmonic on the next higher string. Do this for E–A, A–D and D–G.
Does this work for 5- and 6-string basses and Drop D?
Yes. Pick your setup from the tuning menu: 4-string, 5-string, 6-string, Drop D or half step down.