# Why is a guitar tuned the way it is?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-guitar-tuned-the-way-it-is/449248>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 14, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-guitar-tuned-the-way-it-is/449248 "2008-05-14T04:21:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\
**Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-guitar-tuned-the-way-it-is/449248/21 "2012-10-23T12:18:10Z")

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> [@Zsofia](#):
>
> snip
> 
> Himself plays a little bit of banjo. The banjo is tuned to a chord. (I think it’s G?) Anyway, you strum the open strings and it makes a nice chord.

And Tenor Banjo?

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**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\
**Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-guitar-tuned-the-way-it-is/449248/22 "2012-10-23T12:57:36Z")

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> [@Fl3tch3rb0y](#):
>
> Six string bass is obviously tuned in fourths…

Obviously? Maybe that seems obvious to you. To me six string bass is tuned an octave below standard guitar and is used in many forms of music, from [Glen Campbell](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU) to the Cure.

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