The Secret Of Successful Guitar Tuning
Let's look at the best ways to tune your guitar.
There are several ways to tune your guitar and some people even have their own personal ways of doing it.
I know someone who tunes every string in relation to the top open E string.
But here we're going to look at some more useful ways of doing it.
Relative Tuning
Basically this means tuning the guitar to itself. You pick a string, usually the bottom E string, and make sure every other string is in tune with the bottom E string. This is also commonly known as the 5th fret method.
That's because you play the string at the 5th fret and compare that to the sound of the next open string - they should be the same. Watch out for the B string though! The B string has the same pitch as the 4th fret of the G string.
Here's how to use the 5th fret method.
- Play the 5th fret of the low E string (the thickest string) and then pluck the A string, the one directly above it. The two pitches should be exactly the same. If the A string is lower (flat) then use the tuning peg to tighten the string and make it higher (sharper). If you're finding it hard to tell if it's higher or lower, then loosen the A string substantially so that the pitch is a lot lower and then use the tuning peg to slowly tune it up.
- Play the 5th fret of the 5th string (A string) and pluck the D string, the one directly above it. Let the strings ring at the same time. If they are not exactly the same then use the tuning head of the D string to either lower or raise the pitch of it.
- Play the 5th fret of the 4th string (D string) and pluck the 3rd string (G string), the one directly above it. Let the two notes ring. If the 3rd string is not the same as the 4th string, use the tuning head of the 3rd string to tighten it or loosen it (sharpen it or flatten it)
- Play the 4th fret (Warning! 4th fret) of the 3rd string (G string) and pluck the 2nd string (B string), the one directly above it. Let them ring and make sure they sound the same. Again, use the tuning head of the 3rd string to either sharpen or flatten the B string.
- Play the 5th fret of the 2nd string (B string) and pluck the 1st string (E string), the one directly above it. Let them ring and adjust the tuning head of the top E string if necessary. Now that you've tuned the upper E string you have successfully tuned your guitar to the bottom E string and tuned the guitar to itself.
TIP: You can use your right hand to turn the tuning heads whilst keeping your left hand finger on the 5ht fret.
Tuning to another instrument
An alternative to tuning a guitar to itself is tuning to another instrument. A piano is a fantastic instrument to tune your guitar to because it hardly ever goes out of tune. If you have an electronic keyboard then all the better.
Tuning To pitch pipes
Pitch pipes are small hand held sets of 6 reed pipes that play the pitches of the guitar strings. They are available at all music shops and are a good alternative to relative tuning - but not as good.
Electronic tuners
If you can afford it, it's worthwhile investing in an electronic tuner especially if you're doing some recording or playing with a band. They can tell you quickly and accurately if your strings are in tune. I'd highly recommend getting one if you can.
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