Tune a guitar

From OpenTutorial

Proper tuning of your guitar is essential especially if you would like to play music with other musicians. This tutorial will explain several methods of how to tune your guitar

1 Proper Tuning Technique
2 Electronic Tuning Methods
3 Tuning by Ear Methods
4 Tuning Charts
5 Online Flash Guitar Tuner
6 YouTube Tutorial
7 See Also
8 Bibliography
9 Amazon's Related Products

[edit] Proper Tuning Technique

To properly tune a guitar it is important to tune to the target note in a sharp direction. That is if your target note is "A" and when you pluck your string you notice that it is sharper than your target "A" then turn the tuning peg to a pitch flatter than "A" and slowly tune up to "A" if you pass "A" then repeat the process. Always tune up to the desired note. The reason for this is that when tuning down the string may have a tendency to bind on the nut, as soon as you begin playing the string may unbind causing it to go flat.

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[edit] Electronic Tuning Methods

There are many electronic tuners out on the market from the in-expensive (Sorry no results are currently being returned for this query. to the more expensive rack tuners ( ASIN B000B2QJLQ ) RT1000

TODO:explain different Electronic tuners and how to use them

[edit] Tuning by Ear Methods

If you do not have an electronic tuner then you must tune your guitar by ear.

To do this you must obtain a reference pitch. This can be done be several different methods.

These methods include:

A pitch pipe
Piano or keyboard
A recorded sound

[edit] Pitch Pipe

A pitch pipe a device similar to a harmonica, when you blow through one of the pipes you get a musical note. Most pitch pipes have a 6 pipes, one for each string of your guitar.

[edit] Piano or Keyboard

To get a reference pitch from a piano or electronic keyboard use the following notes for each guitar string:

For the 6th string use the "E" in the second octave below middle C (12 white keys below middle C)
For the 5th String use the "A" in the second octave below middle C (9 white keys below middle C)
For the 4th String use the "D" in the first octave below middle C (6 white keys below middle C)
For the 3rd String use the "G" in the first octave below middle C (3 white keys below middle C)
For the 2nd String use the "B" in the first octave below middle C (1 white keys below middle C)
For the 1nd String use the "E" in the first octave above middle C (2 white keys above middle C)

[edit] Recorded Sound

A CD where you know the note being played can be a good place for a reference note for instance the 1st note in the baseline of the song "Crazy on you" by Heart is an A

Use the Flash Guitar Tuner below to listen to sound of each string. Most "Learn to play guitar" books come with a CD that have the recorded sounds of each string such as ( ISBN 1875726373 ) LEAD GUITAR SOLOS BK/CD: FOR INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED GUITARISTS (Progressive)

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[edit] From your head

If you have the ability to hear the sound in your mind's ear or if you can sing the note then this is the least expensive method of all.

[edit] Tuning the guitar to itself

Once you have obtained a reference note (preferably for the 6th string E) you can tune each string of the guitar in the following manner:

Press the 6th string at the 5th fret and pluck the note this will sound the note "A" Using proper tuning technique adjust the 5th string to match the note
Press the 5th string at the 5th fret and pluck the note this will sound the note "D" Using proper tuning technique adjust the 5th string to match the note
Press the 4th string at the 5th fret and pluck the note this will sound the note "G" Using proper tuning technique adjust the 5th string to match the note
Press the 3rd string at the 4th fret and pluck the note this will sound the note "B" Using proper tuning technique adjust the 5th string to match the note
Press the 2nd string at the 5th fret and pluck the note this will sound the note "E" Using proper tuning technique adjust the 5th string to match the note
Re-check your strings and repeat the process if any have deviated