|
One of the first skills you need to
master in learning how to play the guitar is how to
tune it. Here's how to tune a 6 string guitar with a
standard tuning method:
Find a way to listen to an E Note (Tuned piano, a
pitch pipe, a tuning fork, or a recorded note
Put the Guitar on your lap in a comfortable position
Pluck the bottom E string of the guitar while
listening to the tuned E note
Turn the tuning key for the bottom E string until
your guitar sounds the same as the tuned note
(tighter string raises the pitch, looser string
lowers the pitch)
When the string is slightly out of tune, the E note
from the guitar and the other source will combine
and cause the sound to waver in pitch. As you
tighten or loosen your E string key you should hear
this wavering slow down and stop. If you go too far
it will start wavering again.
Push down on the 5th freet of the bottom E string
that yoiu just tuned and pluck the string. This will
be referred to as the fifth-fretted bottom E string.
Pluck the A string and compare it to the sound of
the fifth-fretted bottom E string. Pluck the two
strings in succession and then simultaneously.
Turn the tuning key for the A string until it sounds
the same as the fifth-fretted bottom E string.
Pluck the D string and compare it to the sound of
the fifth-fretted A string. Pluck the two strings in
succession and then simultaneously.
Tune the D string to the fifth-fretted A string.
Pluck the G string and compare it to the sound of
the fifth-fretted D string. Pluck the two strings in
succession and then simultaneously.
Tune the G string to the fifth-fretted D string.
Pluck the B string and compare it to the sound of
the fourth-fretted G string. Pluck the two
strings in succession and then simultaneously.
Tune the B string to the fourth-fretted G string.
Note that this is the only time the fourth fret is
used.
Pluck the top E string and compare it to the sound
of the fifth-fretted B string. Pluck the two strings
in succession and then simultaneously.
Tune the top E string to the fifth-fretted B string.
Be very careful when tightening this string as it
can break easily.
Some Tips
- If you have a microphone on your
computer, you can use online tuners,
instead of buying a real life one.
- When playing the same note on
two strings (when tuning), to get a
perfect note match, listen
carefully, if the two notes seem to
be 'wavy, then keep
tightening/loosening the nut!
- After tuning all strings from
the 6th to the 1st, check the 6th
string pitch again. Most probably it
will go out of tune because you
changed strings tension and the neck
changed its shape, making all
strings shorter or longer. This is
especially the case for acoustic
guitars. If this happened, tune your
guitar again.
- Harmonic tuning is more accurate
and easier for some people. This is
done by comparing the harmonic on
the fifth fret of the lower string
to that of the seventh fret on the
higher string. To play a harmonic,
lightly touch the string directly
above the fret and let it go as you
pluck the string. Another advantage
of harmonic tuning is that both
strings will continue to ring as you
let go of the neck to adjust the
tuning pegs. Note: this doesn't work
for the second (B) string.
- Tune your guitar every time you
use it. Playing can make your guitar
go out of tune, especially if you
have a cheap guitar or old, cheap
strings or if you use tremolo a lot.
- If you are tuning a bass guitar,
the layout is the same. The
difference is a bass guitar doesn't
have a B and high E
string.
- You will find it easier to tune
each string if you loosen the string
to flatten the note, then increase
the tension to come up to pitch.
Some of the strings have a tendency
to "stick" where they slide over the
nut, and will be in tune until they
suddenly slip flat. By coming up to
pitch, this tendency is avoided. You
can also lubricate the slot in the
nut with graphite (pencil lead) and
it will help to avoid sticking
during tuning.
- If you don't have access to a
piano, keyboard, or tuner, pick up
your phone! In the US at least,
standard dial tone is an F. Also,
You can use a tuning fork To tune a
guitar, in a pinch.
- After tuning, strum open major
chords in the five common chord
forms (C, F, G, A, and D). Make sure
they sound right (no dissonance, or
wavering). A guitar can seem in tune
using the method described above,
but if the intonation is not set up
quite right the guitar won't sound
quite right. You may need to make
some minor adjustments to ensure
that chords sound right.
- After tuning, make sure the G
string and the G at the eighth fret
of the B string sound the same
(other than being an octave apart,
obviously). These two notes being
slightly out of tune is a common
problem and will make chords sound
very bad. It's better to have the E
and B strings a *little* bit flat
relative to the low E string than to
have the G string sound out of tune
with the E and B strings. This
problem has to do with the way
guitars are designed but is
exacerbated by bad intonation.
- Tune your guitar to concert
pitch. Tuning it flat can have a
negative subconscious effect on your
listeners. Most people have a sense
of absolute pitch whether they
recognize it or not. Tuning your
guitar flat will make something
sound not quite right to your
listeners. Besides, playing trains
your ears. Train them right!
|
