Tune
Like a Pro with this Easy Guitar
Tuning Method for
Beginners
How to
Tune a Guitar
Keeping
your guitar in tune is crucial if
you want it to sound great every
time. These simple guitar tuning
instructions will help you tune
when no tuner or other
instruments are
available.
First
Things First
First,
learn the names of the open
guitar strings from the thickest
to the thinnest. These are listed
below for reference:
- E
(low or bottom) string is the
thickest, lowest sounding
string a.k.a. 6th
string.
- A
string is the 5th
string.
- D
string is the 4th
string.
- G
string is the 3rd
string.
- B
string is the 2nd
string.
- E
(high or top) string is the
thinnest, highest sounding
string a.k.a. 1st
string.
Tuning
the Low E String
The bottom
E string should be tuned as
accurately as possible. It's most
likely already in tune since it
is the thickest string, but you
should always make sure it is in
tune before tuning the others.
If a piano
is available, you can tune this
string to the 1st E below the
middle C for accuracy. The guitar
needs to be in tune with other
instruments if playing in a
group, or at least with itself
when playing solo.
Tuning
the A String
The A note
can be tuned by placing your
first finger on the bottom E
string behind the fifth fret.
While keeping your finger steady
on this fret, pick the fifth and
sixth strings interchangeably
while adjusting your fifth string
tuning peg. Repeat until these
two notes sound
identical.
Tuning
the D String
Guitar
tuning for the D string can be
accomplished by placing your
first finger on the A string
behind the fifth fret. This is a
D note, and you will tune the 4th
string to this note until they
sound the same.
Tuning
the G String
The G note
can be found by placing your
first finger on the D string
behind the fifth fret. Tune the G
string (3rd string) to this
note.
Tuning
the B String
The B
string can be found by placing
your first finger just behind the
fourth fret. Notice this is the
fourth fret instead of fifth like
the other notes.
Tuning
the High E String
This high E
string can be tuned by placing
your first finger on the B string
behind the fifth fret (not the
fourth fret). This creates the E
note, so you'll adjust it until
these two sound the
same.
What about
Alternate Ways to Tune a Guitar
?
Alternate
guitar tuning is used to tune a
guitar higher or lower than it is
meant to be tuned. Tuning the
guitar lower will usually cause
premature wear and tear on your
guitar strings, but won't harm
your guitar. Tuning higher,
however, can hurt your guitar and
break the strings.
A tip for
higher alternate tunings is to
lower the overall tunings and
then place a capo on the second
or third fret to create a higher
tune type sound.
Tuning
using this method is great for
quick checks when needed at the
last moment, but it's always best
to use a tuner, piano, or pitch
pipe.
When buying
a new guitar, make sure it is
properly tuned before leaving the
store. This will save many
headaches later, especially if
you're a beginner. Also, after
any tuning exercise, strum a few
chords to be sure all the strings
sound normal.
While
guitar tuning may seem tiresome,
it's well worth it to get the
great sound you desire! Nothing
you play will sound good on an
out of tune guitar so let your
instrument be the best it can
be!
|
