After you tune the normal 6-string tuned notes, tune the paired strings next. To use this tuner, just pick each string individually and let the tuner tell you what the current note is. The good thing about a chromatic tuner is that it works with any and all notes, which is especially important with a 12-string. There are a lot of different guitar tuners on the market, but the best way to tune a 12-string guitar is by using a chromatic tuner. You can have a lot of fun with your 12-string guitar when you choose different ways to tune it using the open tuning method. Some possibilities include Open E tuning (E B E G# B E), Open D tuning (D A D F# A D), Open C tuning (E C G C G C), and Open G tuning (D B G D G D). With this method, you’ll still tune the string in pairs and the lower four pairs an octave apart, but you can change the notes up a little. The set is still an octave apart but is tuned to D instead of E. This means that only the lowest pair of strings changes. With this method, all strings remain the same as mentioned above except that you’ll lower the low E pair of strings down a whole step in other words, to D. For example, E becomes Eb, A becomes Ab, etc. Just tune each string down a half-step (semitone). When you tune a half-step down, it takes a lot of the strain off of the guitar. There are also a few other ways to tune your 12-string guitar, and they include the following: (The uppercase letters are tuned like a normal 6-string guitar, whereas the lowercase letters represent notes tuned an octave higher than normal.) Other Ways to Tune Your 12-String
To write it out another way, here is what the strings will look like: eE aA dD gG BB EE. And while these two notes are an octave apart, when the strings are played together, you get terrific harmony every time. In other words, when the lowest string (E) is tuned, it’s tuned an octave higher than the thicker E strings. The lower four pairs of strings, which are grouped with E A D G, are always tuned an octave higher. You’ll notice that with the lower pairs of strings, you’ll be tuning the thicker strings just like you would a normal 6-string guitar. B string: normal 6-string tuning method.G string: normal 6-string tuning method.G string: an octave higher than the thicker paired string.D string: normal 6-string tuning method.D string: an octave higher than the thicker paired string.A string: normal 6-string tuning method.A string: an octave higher than the thicker paired string.E string: normal 6-string tuning method.E string: an octave higher than the thicker paired string.