embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for using a combustion dynamics tuning algorithm with a multi - can combustor . according to one embodiment of the invention , a method for controlling a gas turbine engine with an engine model can be implemented for an engine comprising multiple cans . the method can include obtaining operating frequency information associated with multiple cans of the engine . in addition , the method can include determining variation between operating frequency information of at least two cans . furthermore , the method can include determining a median value based at least in part on the variation . moreover , the method can include inputting the median value to an engine model , wherein based at least in part on the median value , the engine model determines an engine control action . in addition , the method can include outputting a control command to implement the engine control action .