How do you tune a left handed guitar?

As a guitar expert with years of experience in teaching and playing, I can confidently guide you through the process of tuning a left-handed guitar. The good news is that the tuning process for a left-handed guitar is identical to that of a right-handed guitar. This is because the strings on a left-handed guitar are strung in the reverse order compared to a right-handed guitar, but the notes are still the same from low to high.

Here's how you can tune a left-handed guitar:


1. Standard Tuning: The standard tuning for any guitar, left or right-handed, is E-A-D-G-B-E, from the thickest string to the thinnest. This means you should tune your left-handed guitar to these notes as well.


2. Tuning Pegs: Locate the tuning pegs on the headstock of your guitar. These are used to tighten or loosen the strings to change the pitch.


3. Tuning App or Electronic Device: Use a tuning app on your smartphone or an electronic tuner to provide you with the correct pitch for each string.


4. Starting with the Thickest String: Begin with the thickest string, which is tuned to E (low E). Pluck the string and adjust the tuning peg until the tuner indicates that it is in tune.


5. Moving to the Thinnest String: Continue this process for each string, moving to the next highest string and tuning it to the correct note. Remember the order: E-A-D-G-B-E.


6. Fine-Tuning: Once all strings are roughly in tune, you may need to make finer adjustments to ensure they are perfectly in tune with each other.

7.
Checking for Intonation: After tuning, it's also a good idea to check the intonation of your guitar. This involves playing the same note on the 12th fret and comparing it to the open string. If they match, your intonation is correct.

8.
Retuning: Sometimes, after checking intonation and making adjustments to the bridge, you may need to retune the guitar to maintain the correct pitch.

For both left and right handed guitars the thinnest string will be nearest to the floor (when in a playing position) and from there they will increase in thickness towards you. On any standard tuned 6-string guitar the order of strings from thick to thin is EADGBE.