The Beatles · 1965 · Studio album
Rubber Soul tuning.
E Standard, about 12 cents flat (A ≈ 437), measured on the CD. 4 of 14 songs are tuned differently.
Album tuning
E Standard −12 ¢
About 12 cents flat (A ≈ 437), measured on the CD.
MeasuredFrom tabs
Measured by TuneLit
12 ¢ flat
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, Parlophone CDP 7 46440 2 (1987, George Martin's 1987 stereo remix) | −11.6 ¢ | A 437.1 | 14 | −20.0 to −9.1 ¢ | High |
Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (community).
E Standard, about 12 ¢ flat (A ≈ 437.1) on the 1987 CD (George Martin's 1987 stereo remix). Capos are everywhere: Norwegian Wood at the 2nd fret, Michelle at the 5th, If I Needed Someone at the 7th on a 12-string, I'm Looking Through You at the 1st, Girl's rhythm parts at the 8th. Michelle, In My Life and If I Needed Someone run about 20 ¢ above the rest of the album.
14 songs · 4 tuned differently
Every song, ready to tune
Tune opens the tuner in that song's tuning, pitch included. Play along opens the song player set to that tuning, so the track plays in yours. What the labels mean
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1. Drive My Car
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
On its own, this song measures sharper: CD +2.6 ¢ (medium confidence). Tune uses the album's −12 ¢.
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2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
The reading is weak (the sitar and the strummed guitars blur the pitch) and points about 36 ¢ flat, as do both vinyl copies; the button uses the album value. Sources leave open whether the key of E came from capos or from a speed-up in the mix. If you sound sharp against the record, lower the reference toward A 431.
Both acoustic parts are tabbed with a capo at the 2nd fret, D shapes sounding in E; Harrison's sitar doubles the melody.
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3. You Won't See Me
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
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4. Nowhere Man
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
One tab puts Lennon's acoustic at the 2nd fret; the electric parts and the solo are without a capo.
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5. Think for Yourself
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
McCartney plays a fuzz bass over his normal bass part.
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6. The Word
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
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Notes
TuneLit measured about 12 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 442.9), 23 ¢ above the album.
Played in C shapes with a capo at the 5th fret, so the record sounds in F; every part of the tab uses the capo.
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8. What Goes On
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
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9. Girl
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
The tab puts the two acoustic rhythm parts at the 8th fret (A minor shapes sounding in C minor); the other guitar lines are tabbed without a capo.
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10. I'm Looking Through You
Different pitch
E StandardMeasured
Notes
TuneLit measured it at concert pitch, 15 ¢ above the album.
Both guitar parts are tabbed with a capo at the 1st fret (G shapes sounding in A♭). Another tab writes the guitar in F Standard, a half step up, with no capo: the same notes.
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11. In My Life
Different pitch
E Standard +10 ¢Measured
Notes
George Martin's piano solo was played at half speed. TuneLit measured about 10 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 442.7), 22 ¢ above the album.
The songs are tabbed in E Standard; several songs use a capo (Songsterr).
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12. Wait
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
One tab puts Lennon's rhythm part at the 2nd fret.
On its own, this song measures flatter: CD −36.3 ¢ (medium confidence). Tune uses the album's −12 ¢.
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13. If I Needed Someone
Different tuning
E Standard +8 ¢Measured
Notes
TuneLit measured about 8 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 441.9), 19 ¢ above the album.
Harrison's Rickenbacker 360/12 with a capo at the 7th fret: D-shape riff sounding in A. Lennon's Stratocaster part needs no capo.
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14. Run for Your Life
E Standard −12 ¢Measured
Notes
The reading is too weak to use, so the button uses the album value.
What the labels mean
- Measured
- TuneLit measured the pitch on an original CD or LP. The tuning name still comes from the sources.
- Official
- The band, a member, their producer or their guitar tech said it.
- Widely reported
- Trusted outlets, guides and tabs agree, but the band did not say it directly.
- From tabs
- From community tabs, or from players who tune along with the record.
- Disputed
- Sources disagree. The likeliest setting is shown; the notes name the other one.
Each song shows one label, the strongest it has, in this order. How we measure recordings →
Questions
What tuning is Rubber Soul in?
The Beatles recorded Rubber Soul (1965) in E Standard, about 12 cents flat (A ≈ 437), measured by TuneLit on the CD. 4 songs use other tunings or pitches, listed song by song on this page.
Why does Rubber Soul sound out of tune with my guitar?
The record sits about 12 cents flat (A ≈ 437), so a guitar tuned to A 440 clashes with it. The Tune buttons on this page set the tuner's reference to match the record, song by song, so you only tune the strings.