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This lesson will
outline how to tune your guitar to a
standard E A D G B E tuning. As a
general rule, tightening a string creates
more tension. This gives the string a higher
pitch and goes higher in tune. Likewise with
loosening your strings, the pitch goes down.
Using a
proper guitar tuner is the best way to tune
your guitar exactly. However, if you don't
have one, all you need is to get one single
note either from a piano, tuning fork or
from someone else's guitar string. Once you
get that single note, I will show you how to
tune the rest.
To save you
money in having to go out and buy an
electronic tuner, I have provided you with
all 6 notes on each string.
Tune your
guitar to the notes below...
Tuning
Method 1
Let's say you have already tuned the top
string (6th string).
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Step 1:
Press down on the 6th string at the 5th
fret and you will get an A note. This
note should correspond to an open 5th
string as shown in the diagram.
Step 2:
Strike the 6th string, 5th fret and an
open 5th string. Both strings should be
exactly the same. If not, the 5th string
must be adjusted. |
A good tip is
to hold your finger on the fret and use your
other hand to twist the string. Both at the
same time. Do this until both strings sound
identical.
These 2 easy
steps can be repeated for the rest of the
strings. With the 5th string, press down on
the 5th string on the 5th fret and you will
get a D. This note should correspond to an
open 4th string. Therefore when you strike
the 5th string, 5th fret and an open 4th
string, both strings should sound exactly
the same. If not, the 4th string must be
adjusted.
The 3rd
string however must be played at the 4th
fret in order to equal an open 2nd string.
Many guitarists use this tuning technique
when they suspect a string has gone out of
tune.
Tuning
Method 2
The most accurate way I find of tuning my
guitar is by using harmonics.
Harmonics are done by not actually holding
down a string, but just gently touching it
lightly. When you strike the string, it
should be hard so you get a clear "ping" out
of it and not an actual string note. You
have to be spot on when using harmonics
otherwise if you are a tiny bit off, it
won't come out.
Tuning your
guitar using harmonics is very similar to
the first method. Again, say you have the
top string (6th string) tuned correctly;
Step 1:
Place your finger on the 5th fret of the top
string.
Step 2:
At the same time, place your other finger
lightly on the 7th fret of the 5th string.
Step 3:
Strike both strings at the same time. They
should be the exact same 'ping' sound. If
not, one of them is out of tune. Therefore,
the 5th string must be adjusted.
Using this
technique is more accurate as by striking
both strings at the same time, they both
produce a very distinct ping sound that is
easier to spot if one is out of tune.
Again, this
technique works with all the strings, except
the 3rd. So, the most accurate way to do
this is to use the first tuning method just
for this string. The rest are fine to
continue on with harmonics method.
Click here to see more great tips and
advice..
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