Some days - even with the best of efforts - you can have a tin ear. And then spend ages trying to get your tuning spot on but to no avail.
For days like these, or to simply speed up the process, you can rely on GuitarTuna. This is the world’s numero uno when it comes to guitar tuning apps.
This highly-respected app from Yousician is a boon for both learners and more advanced players searching for a technological aid to remove the guesswork.
Though it’s billed for guitars, you can pretty much use it for any stringed instrument and get perfect results. There’s no need to have a perfect ear or a tuning fork when you can get a mobile phone app to do the work for you.
Apart from the painful Piscean-alluding name, there’s plenty to like about this app. Just ask the people, both learners, and experts, who have downloaded GuitarTuna over 100 million times.
Suitable for electric and acoustics using the built-in mic
Clear visual displays
Award-winning tech
The world-leading audio recognition algorithm
Professional-grade tuning accuracy
Auto mode tuner
Among the additional features you should be aware of are:
Background noise cancellation
Developed by guitarists and leading sound engineers
Customizable app themes to match your favorite instrument’s headstock
Learn chords, riffs, and tabs
Ear training
Improve your picking speed
GuitarTuna is a slight misnomer as you can use it to tune just about any stringed instrument you like, including:
Acoustic and electric guitars
Bass
Ukulele
Viola
Mandolin
Cello
Violin
Fiddle
Balalaika
Banjo
And others
You can set the app to over 100 different tuning setups, including:
Standard
Open
Drop-D
Other drop tunings
Half step down
7-string tunings including drop-A
12-string
There are plenty of other features to keep advanced players happy, too, such as:
Metronome - set any tempo, tap at the desired speed, or change manually.
Chord learning games - six games to help you learn, master, and practice chords. And hone your ear to recognize them instantly.
Guitar tunes - four songs with guitar tabs to play and test your skills
Plus, there are alternative tuning sets and a chromatic tuner.
It’s free
Simple to use
No cables required
Excellent for beginners and widely recommended by teachers and ranked as No.1 in 119 countries
Multi-language support
Excellent reviews from Android and iOS app users
You can easily snap strings if you are not careful.
Yousician recommends that first-time tuners first watch a YouTube tutorial video or ask an experienced player for help. It is essential to know how to tune your instrument correctly before using GuitarTuna. Otherwise, you run the risk of snapping strings.
GuitarTuna is downloadable from Google Play. The requirements of the Android version of the app vary by device.
Meanwhile, the iOS app requires 129.8 MB of storage space and iOS 10.0 or later. There’s also a macOS variant that requires an M1 chip computer on 11.0 or later for when you want to use a larger screen.
