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Guitar Tuning Lesson

Guitar tuning is less an art than a skill which is practiced over and over. A guitar player must train his/her ear to hear subtle and not - so - subtle differences in the pitch of two music notes. Different guitar players adopt different methods of tuning, some are better than others. Above all, patience is the main requirement for guitar tuning!

Guitar Tuning Definitions

Pitch - describes the location (higher or lower) of a musical note.

Tuning Key - The knob on the headstock of the guitar where the string is wrapped.

Open String - A guitar string played without any notes fretted.

Six-in-Line - This means that all six tuning keys are on one side of the guitar headstock (Fender strat style). Guitar tuners are either in six-in-line or 3 per side configuration. Tighten a six-in-line tuning key clockwise. On 3 per side tuners, the first, second, and third string tuners are tightened clockwise also. But, the fourth, fifth, and sixth string tuners are tightened counterclockwise.

Guitar Tuning Tips

1. Try all of the different methods of guitar tuning shown in this lesson, and choose the ways that work best for you. Of course, using a guitar tuner will be the easiest way to tune, but you will still need to make subtle adjustments afterwards.

2. Always tune up to pitch (tighten the tuning key) . For example, if the string that you are tuning sounds too high, you need to loosen (see 6-in-line) it first so that it is too low, then tighten it up to pitch. This will help the string to stay in tune better.

 

 

Manual Tuning Method (Without a Guitar Tuner)

1. Comparison Pitch - You will need a piano, electronic keyboard, tuning fork, another "in-tune" guitar, or a pitch pipe to play an E to tune to your first string (E). The 1st string is the skinniest guitar string.

2. Tuning the first string - play the comparison pitch (E) and let it ring. Play your first string(E) and let it ring. If your string sounds a higher pitch than the comparison pitch, loosen the first string's tuning key. If your string sounds a lower pitch than the comparison pitch, tighten the first string's tuning key.

3. Tune the second string to the first string - Now that the first string is tuned, you will compare the second string 5th fret to the first string open.

4. Now repeat step 3 for every other string - On the third string, you will need to play the fourth fret to compare to the second string open. Here's a tuning chart to help you remember:

Tune This String:	To This:
First String Open	An E on a piano, pitch pipe, etc.
Second String/Fret 5	First String Open (E)
Third String/Fret 4	Second String Open (B)
Fourth String/Fret 5	Third String Open (G)
Fifth String/Fret 5	Fourth String Open (D)
Sixth String/Fret 5	Fifth String Open (A)

 

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Using An Electronic Tuner

Chromatic Tuner - This type will automatically show you the name of the string that you are trying to tune. If the string is extremely out of tune, the tuner will read that pitch which is not the pitch you want. Be sure to tune the string until the tuner shows the correct string/pitch. A chromatic tuner also will allow you to tune to an alternate guitar tuning quickly and easily.

Non - Chromatic Tuner - On this type of tuner, you will have to move a button or a switch each time you tune a new string. These are harder to use than chromatic tuners especially when trying to tune quickly during a gig. A non-chromatic will not allow you to tune to an alternate guitar tuning quickly and easily, either. However, if you don't need to tune quickly, and want to save a few $$, these will work great for you.