Ways to Tune Your Guitar

You can tune your guitar easily by relative tuning. This type of tuning involves comparison of sound and pitch of adjoining strings. The string that has a higher pitch is made to match by tuning it with the sound of the lower string. We have to assume that the lower string is tuned in a correct manner. This method requires tuning of the sixth string to be done with the help of tuning fork or piano. We will discuss on this later.

The tuning process starts by tuning the sixth string. After tuning the sixth string, you should push this string at the fifth fret and select the string. After this you should tune the fifth string to match that particular sound. The sound should, in turn match the sixth strings, fifth fret. If you don’t get the correct matching of the sounds you need to adjust the tuning peg and modify the pitch. You shouldn’t alter the sixth string.

If the string produces a lower sound you need to tighten the string. If the sound of the string is sharp or if it produces a higher sound, loosen the string. Now, you need to be quite sure if the fifth string is adjusted and tuned to give the desired effect by comparing it with the sixth string as the adjustment of the fourth string will depend on the working of the fifth string. There after, the fourth string should be perfectly adjusted in order to alter the third string and this goes on till the first string is perfectly tuned. In case of any mistakes in between the adjustments of the strings it will lead to a sound that will be awful.

If you have a perfect know-how about the notes of a piano which is handy, you can match these notes of the piano to the sounds of the strings of your guitar.

In order to start with the match, you should find the E note of the piano and play the sixth string of the guitar which will generate a sound similar to that of the E note. You can do the other way round, and continue doing this to check all the strings of your guitar.

You can also use an electronic keyboard to tune your guitar. Key board is any time better that manually tuned guitars, as the final tune given out by using an electric guitar is far better, clear and accurate. It is also easy to tune your guitar using this technique. This is helpful for beginners who have the right to use it or for those beginners who work with people who plat the keyboard.

Another technique to tune your guitar is by using pitch pipes that are easily available in your local music store. These help to adjust the pitches of the strings. In this technique, the sound generated by the string is made to match with the proper pipes. Pitch pipes are not very costly and can be used by the beginners. These are mobile because of their small size.

Pitch pipes may not be useful for professional guitarists as they are not satisfied with the performance as they do not generate a clear pitch like the electronic keyboard, tuning fork or a piano does it.

Guitars can also be tuned with the help of tuning fork, which is a latest way to tune guitar and other musical instruments. A tuning fork looks like a fork with two prongs and a stem like handle, like a U shape. When this tuning fork is struck against any hard surface it generates a certain pitch with vibrations. Depending on the length of the prongs, the sound is generated.

Actually the sound given from a standard tuning fork is similar to the A note and these types of tuning forks are easily available. The tuning fork that emits the E note is also easily available, and are useful for tuning the guitars. Tuning forks are low-priced and are easy to carry.

Remember to hold the tuning fork by its stem as this allows the prongs to vibrate liberally. In order to create enough vibrations the prongs are hit with full force. Remember to strike the prongs on a harder surface that doesn’t bend on striking. Striking it on your knee is perfect, but generously…or else. After the fork emits vibrations, the stem is placed lightly on the body of the guitar, without disturbing the prongs. At this moment the string needs to be tuned to match the sound emitted from the guitar.

For this, you need a thorough practice, which may seem tough for the beginners. But the experienced guitarists need not bother to carry the tuning forks too.

The other most preferred method is to tune your guitar by using the Intervals technique. By tuning this way the guitar has a pleasant and a lovely sound which is enjoyable to hear. This method of tuning requires combination tuning of strings. After some regular practice of tuning with the help of intervals, you find it easy for you to do it.

To tune by using the Interval method, start with the sixth string. Keep a tuning fork or a pitch pipe at your reach. To start with find the A note along with this you need to press the sixth string at the fifth fret and tune the A string. After this, go in from the D or the fourth string to the D and the fifth string at the fifth fret. Repeat this with G, B and E strings too. Finally, check the tuning by playing the E and B chords and concentrate on the sound generated, adjust accordingly.

Harmonics:
Harmonics is used for tuning the guitars by the advanced professionals. Experienced guitarists use harmonics to tune their guitars. Though it is hard to learn harmonics, but once tuned the guitar by this method, the result id ideal.

Harmonics involves a focused handling of the guitar. In Harmonics, the string of the guitar is touched very lightly at the fret, which is otherwise held as holding the string down, below the fret. This method is not advisable for the beginners, but here you can become aware of general idea and methods of guitar tuning.

There are other several ways to tune the guitar like the Slack key tuning, A tuning or the D tuning. Slack Tuning is done by tuning some strings lower as compared to other types of tunings. When all strings are played the result is different, a major triad. A rock needs an A tuning and for classical guitars, D tuning is ideal which requires to tune the D string instead of E string. Whatever way you tune, it is advisable to tune your guitar regularly and frequently. If you play your guitar a lot or practice it regularly, your strings are bound to get out of tune.

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