How to tune your guitar

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Previously, this was done on a dial tone or the introduction of Nothing Else Matters, but now everything is much simpler.

What you need to remember

• First, loosen all the strings by letting go of the tuning pegs a couple of turns. Raising the pitch is better audible and also reduces the risk of strings breaking.
• When stretching each subsequent string, the previous strings are slightly weakened and, accordingly, the previous ones are detuned. Therefore, after tuning in any of the ways, you need to check the tuning again and, if necessary, correct it.
• Make sure that the ends of the strings are pressed against the tuners with their turns and fixed in a straight spiral - this will help the guitar to tune more slowly.
• For more convenience and a clear sound, use a pick rather than your fingers.

1. How to tune a guitar through an app on a smartphone

The most popular method suitable for beginners and even people with a complete hearing loss. Using the microphone built into your phone, the mobile tuner app determines the pitch of each string and tells you how much to loosen or stretch it.

Download one of the applications from the App Store or Google Play to your smartphone. They work in the same way and differ only in the appearance of the tuning dial

Launch the app, go to tuning mode, and select a standard scale (E-B-G-D-A-E). If the app has Auto mode, turn it on. Otherwise press the button of the first string and remember to switch to the others while tuning

Pull the first string and, following the tuner's prompts, tighten or loosen with the appropriate tuning peg

Repeat the procedure for the second and all other strings

2. How to tune a guitar using a tuner

In fact, the tuning method is similar to the previous one, the only difference of which is the use of a hardware tuner, not a digital one. Such devices are sold at affordable prices in any music store or on AliExpress.

There are tuners in the form of small boxes, clothespins or pedals. They all work on the same principle - they pick up sound through a microphone or audio output, and then analyze the pitch and indicate how much it differs from the reference.

• Turn on the tuner and go to guitar tuning mode. Select a standard scale (E-B-G-D-A-E) if available.
• Pull the first string, and then loosen or stretch it, referring to the tuner scale.
• Make sure the screen displays the correct string number and adjust the tension so that the indicator is exactly in the middle. In some tuners, the correct setting is accompanied by a beep or a change in the color of the backlight.
• Repeat the procedure for the second and other strings.

3. How to tune a guitar by ear at the 5th fret

The most common configuration option, which is slightly more complicated than the previous ones. It requires at least minimal hearing, but allows you to do without any additional devices.

The essence of the method is that the strings are tuned relative to each other. For example, an open first string produces an E, as does the second when pressed down at the 5th fret. That is, to tune, you need to hold down the second string at the 5th fret, alternately pull it and the first open string, and then, rotating the second peg, achieve a sound in unison.

How to tune the first string

Pull up the first string so it doesn't sag. Ideally, it should be tuned to E by a tuner, another instrument, or by ear, but if you are playing alone this is not necessary. An approximate setting is enough

How to tune the second string

• Pluck the open first string, followed by the second string pressed down at the 5th fret. They must sound in unison, that is, the sound of both must merge.
• On a detuned guitar, such a sound on the second string will most likely not be on the fifth fret, but somewhere on the fourth, third or seventh. Walk across the fretboard, pressing the second string in different positions, and pluck it alternately with the first string open to find a fret in which they sound in unison.
• If this place is above the 5th fret, then the second string is loose and you need to pull it to tune. If, on the contrary, the unison is below the 5th fret, then the string is overtightened and needs to be loosened.
• Rotate the peg of the second string to sound in unison. The sound of both strings should merge.
• As you get closer to fine tuning, the rattling effect will increase, then disappear completely and reappear if you drag the string. Your task: to catch the moment when there is no tremor - this will be unison.

How to tune the third string

Pluck the open second string and then the third string pressed down at the fourth fret. Rotate the peg of the third string to get the same sound

How to tune the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings

• All other strings are tuned in the same way.
• The fourth string pressed down at the 5th fret should sound in unison with the open third, the fifth string at the 5th fret with the fourth fret open, and the sound of the 6th string pressed at the 5th fret should be in unison with the open 5th fret.

4. How to tune a guitar by ear using harmonics

The most accurate and convenient, but at the same time the most difficult way. In addition to ear for music, a certain skill of using the instrument is required, namely, the ability to extract harmonics.

The method is based on comparing string overtones that occur when taking harmonics. To get them, you need to pull the string, slightly touching it with the pad of your finger over the fret pads of certain frets.

How to tune the sixth string

• By analogy with the previous method, the sixth string is tuned by a tuner, another instrument, or by ear.
• It is the reference and all tuning is based on it.

How to tune the fifth string

• Play the harmonics above the 5th fret of the 6th string and then above the 7th fret of the 5th string.
• Rotate the peg last, to achieve a sound in unison.

How to tune the fourth string

• Remove harmonics above the 5th fret of the 5th string and above the 7th fret of the 4th string.
• Adjust the latter so that both sounds are the same.

How to tune the third string

• Play harmonics on the 5th fret of the 4th string and the 7th fret of the 3rd.
• Stretch or loosen the latter until you achieve a sound in unison.

How to tune the second string

• Play the harmonic on the 7th fret of the 6th string, then pluck the open second string.
• Rotate the peg of the second string until both sounds merge into one.

How to tune the first string

• Pick up a harmonic on the 5th fret of the 6th string and pluck the open first string.
• Tweak the latter to sound in unison.