1. Finding a Reference Note
The first thing you need is a reference pitch to tune your 6th string (low E) – you can use a piano, tuning fork or use an online tuner. Click here to open the online guitar tuner.
2 . The E-String
Play the low E note on the guitar tuner or other device and adjust the the guitar by turning the tuning peg. Try and approach from below and tune up to the correct pitch. Keep listening and playing until the notes sound the same. Don’t worry too much as this method will put your guitar in tune with itself.
3. The A String
The method we are going to use works by playing the note of the string we want to tune on the previous string of the guitar. To tune the A string (5th string) we play an ‘A’ note on the E string (6th string). Play the strings one after the other and tune the A string until it sounds the same as the A note.
4. The D String
Play your 5th string, 5th fret to produce a ‘D’ then adjust your open D string (4th string) until they sound the same.
5. The G String
Play your 4th string, 5th fret to produce a ‘G’ then adjust your open G string (3rd string) until they sound the same.
5. The B String
Play your 3rd string, FOURTH fret to produce a ‘B’ then adjust your open B string (2nd string) until they sound the same.
6. The E String
Play your 2nd string, 5th fret to produce an ‘E’ then adjust your open E string (1st string) until they sound the same.
Voila! Your guitar is in tune!
If you need some more help check out the video below from Guitarjamz.com
This is the basic technique used by guitarists to tune up. Any technique that starts like this is known as a ‘relative tuning technique’ and relies on the 6th string being in tune. The accuracy of these techniques will depend on how well you can hear the notes.
Another ‘relative tuning technique’ is called ‘Harmonic Tuning’ – this is relatively simple but requires that you can play a harmonic on your guitar. One of the advantages of using this method is that the reference note rings out longer, allowing you more time to adjust the string. Its also a very fast method.
For those of us who struggle with hearing precisely when two notes sound the same – or want a higher level of accuracy – should try an electronic tuner. My favourite are the clip on guitar tuners. They are very easy to use and clip on to the guitar neck and pick up vibrations from the guitar. On the tuner display you can quickly and easily see whether your string is in or out of tune and adjust accordingly. Its well worth keeping one in your gigbag and will give you spot on results everytime!
There are also many different guitar tunings you can use. The standard normal tuning is – E A D G B E but there are also alternate tunings. One of the most common alternate tunings is Drop D. There are dozens more, used in a all styles of music. It can be great fun to experiment with a variety of tunings – it makes you realise just how versatile the guitar is.
If you change the tuning of your guitar often (like me) you’ll know that this can weaken the strings. You play one song you like in Open G then change back to standard tuning and snap the high e string breaks. I often use this as an oppurtunity to change all my strings. A great way to do this fast is to use a peg winder – a small tool that really speeds up restringing your guitar. They come in all shapes and sizes and you can even get electric ones !
Despite all these methods and techniques we can still suffer from tuning difficulties. We’ve all been through that annoying moment when we’ve spent time carefully tuning our guitar, strum a chord and it sounds terrible. A Guitar needs to be built with a high degree of precision in order to stay in tune to itself, this is called intonation. Not all guitars have this high-precision and some just don’t come set up properly. The intonation of a guitar is affected by a variety of factors including the guitar bridge, the action, the strings. Fortunetly the majority of these factors can be improved with just a little know-how and some simple guitar tools.
After all this care there is another great tool I like to use to prevent any changes in intonation and to prolong the life and quality of my guitar. The ideal humidity for a guitar is around 45-55%. A humidity level that is too low can create structural problems with your guitar, such as neck twisting and cracks in the wood or finish. A guitar humidifier is a simple, cheap ($10+) and effective tool that slowly releases moisture into the air maintaining the optimum humidity for your guitar. Its well worth thinking about, especially if you have invested a lot of money in a really great guitar.
