A 4-string bass is tuned E A D G, an octave below the lowest four strings of a guitar; a 5-string adds a low B. Low notes are hard for phone microphones, which barely hear the fundamental: Tunelight measures the period of the whole sound, so it still reads the right note, without jumping an octave.
Bass tunings
| Tuning | Strings | Frequencies (Hz, A4 = 440) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (4 strings) | E1 A1 D2 G2 | 41.20 · 55.00 · 73.42 · 98.00 |
| 5 strings | B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 | 30.87 · 41.20 · 55.00 · 73.42 · 98.00 |
| Drop D | D1 A1 D2 G2 | 36.71 · 55.00 · 73.42 · 98.00 |
Tips
- Pluck firmly and let the note ring for a second before turning the peg.
- If your bass has an output jack, a phone held close to the amplifier reads better than the bare strings.
- Check the octave harmonic at the 12th fret against the open string: if they differ, the intonation (saddle position) needs adjusting.