Bajo Sexto Tuner
Standard bajo sexto tuning is E A D G C F, from the lowest course to the highest, all in fourths. E, A and D are octave pairs: E1+E2, A1+A2 and D2+D3. G, C and F are unison pairs at G2, C3 and F3. At A440, the low E1 is 41.2 Hz.
String notes and frequencies
Bajo sexto tuning, standard (E A D G C F) (12 strings in 6 courses): E1+E2 A1+A2 D2+D3 G2 C3 F3, from 41.20 Hz to 174.61 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Pair 6 | E1 + E2 | 41.20 + 82.41 |
| Pair 5 | A1 + A2 | 55.00 + 110.00 |
| Pair 4 | D2 + D3 | 73.42 + 146.83 |
| Pair 3 | G2 | 98.00 |
| Pair 2 | C3 | 130.81 |
| Pair 1 | F3 | 174.61 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and allow access; the Tuning menu starts on Standard (E A D G C F).
- Pluck one string at a time near the mic. Auto finds the pair; on E, A and D it also shows low string or high string (octave).
- Follow the arrow: ↑ flat: tighten, ↓ sharp: loosen. A pair gets a ✓ once its notes hold in tune; on G, C and F, check the second string too.
- Tap a pair's button to hear its notes and lock the tuner on it; Auto unlocks it.
Help and explanations
In conjunto, Tejano and norteño music, the bajo sexto plays the bass line and the chords next to the accordion. Its thick E is an octave below a guitar's low E, the same note as a bass guitar's E string. Only 10 strings? Choose Bajo quinto (A D G C F) in the Tuning menu.
How to tune a bajo sexto by ear
Match the thin E string to a guitar’s open E2, then fret the thick E at the 12th fret to compare it with that thin string. Adjacent courses are fourths: a lower course at the 5th fret matches the next open course. For D to G, use the thick D string; its thin partner gives G an octave higher. Listen for beating to disappear between matching pitches.
With the guitar at hand, its open A and D strings also equal your thin A and D, and its 6th, 5th and 4th strings at the 3rd fret give G2, C3 and F3.
Tips
- No reading on the thick E (41.2 Hz)? Phone mics barely catch notes that low. Pluck it firmly close to the phone, or tune the thin E first and check the thick one by ear at the 12th fret.
- To tune one string of a pair alone, mute its partner with a fingertip.
- Prefer Spanish note names? Set Note names to Do Re Mi and the buttons read Mi La Re Sol Do Fa.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard bajo sexto tuning notes?
E1+E2, A1+A2 and D2+D3, followed by unison G2, C3 and F3 courses, from bass to treble. The three bass courses are octaves.
What's the difference between a bajo sexto and a bajo quinto?
The bajo quinto has 10 strings in 5 pairs: it leaves out the low E pair. The rest is tuned alike, A D G C F, with A and D in octaves. Choose Bajo quinto (A D G C F) in the Tuning menu or open the bajo quinto tuner.
Is a bajo sexto the same as a 12-string guitar?
No. A 12-string guitar uses E A D G B E; bajo sexto uses E A D G C F with a lower bass register. Guitar players should use the 12-string guitar tuner.
What does bajo sexto mean in English?
Literally sixth bass: bass for its low notes, sixth for its six pairs of strings. In English it keeps its Spanish name.
Is there a bajo sexto tuner app?
No download needed: this tuner runs in the browser on Android and iPhone, free, with all six pairs ready. Add a home-screen shortcut and it opens like an app.