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How To Tune A Guitar

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How to Tune a Guitar Using Reference Tuning Methods

 

1. Decide which tuning or which notes each open string should play. For most songs, use a tuning of E A D G B E (starting from the lowest pitched string ). This is called standard or open E tuning. The word “open” in this case refers to a note played on the guitar by plucking a string without pressing down on a fret.

2. Find an accurate reference sound source for the notes of each string. This reference sound can come from an electric piano, a tuning fork or an online guitar tuner just to name a few.

3. Compare your strings to the reference. Pluck one of the strings starting with number 6 (the lowest pitch), at the top of the guitar neck. Compare it to the reference sound. Is it higher in pitch (sharp), lower in pitch (flat) or exactly the same (in tune)?

4. Adjust the tension of the string until it matches the reference. If it is flat the string needs to be tightened so that it will vibrate faster to produce a higher pitch sound that matches the reference. This is accomplished by plucking the string again then turning the tuning peg that is associated with that string.

If the string is sharp it needs to be loosened to match the reference pitch. However, do to the mechanical characteristics of most guitars it is important to first loosen the string until it is lower in pitch than the reference. Then tighten it up to the reference. The reason for this is that a freshly loosened string often will continue to change in pitch after you think it is in tune. A freshly tightened string tends to be more stable.

Tuning With An Online Guitar Tuner as a reference source

This one has to be seen to be believed. (How’s that for hype?) Try our FREE online guitar tuner as a reference source.

Tuning With A Piano As A Reference Source

Tuning a guitar using a piano is a simple matter of finding and comparing the notes on the keyboard that correspond to each open string of the guitar. Since a traditional piano has strings that can go out of tune it is often more accurate to use an electric piano or keyboard.

Use the chart below as a guide if you are not familiar with a piano keyboard.

TIP: The key to this method is finding the middle C key on the piano. On a full sized, 88 key piano the middle C is four octaves to the right of the lowest C on the far left of the keyboard. It is also four octaves to left of the highest C on the right.

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