Lesson 10

Before beginning to play you must make certain that the strings are in tune with each other. If you play a chord and it doesn't sound quite right you are probably out of tune and must tune up.

Because the 6th string is the largest string on the guitar it will not go out of tune as easily as the others. We can, therefore, "assume "that it is in tune.

When you are playing by yourself the 6th string does not have to be exactly in tune with any other instrument. However, when we play with other musicians we must tune our E string with an E note of another instrument.

The figure above shows the pitch of each string with reference to a piano. A pitch pipe, harmonica or tuning fork can, also, be used to reference the low E string.

Place your finger on the 6th string - at the 5th fret - strike the 6th string. Now, strike the 5th string open. If the two notes sound the same they are in tune. If they do not sound the same, then the 5th string is either too high or too low in pitch to the 6th string at the 5th fret.

Tighten the 5th string if it is too low or loosen the string if it is too high.

If you have trouble hearing the pitch of the 5th string, try humming both tones while concentrating on the pitch. Don't get discouraged. Your sense of pitch will be developed and refined as you gain more experience. The differences in pitch, if any, be will subtle.

When your 5th string open sounds like the 6th string - at the 5th fret then these two strings are in tune.

Place your finger on the 5th string - at the 5th fret. Strike the 5th string. Strike the 4th string - open.

Tighten or loosen the string to raise or lower the pitch until the 4th string - open sounds like the 5th string - at the 5th fret. When these two strings sound the same they are in tune.

Tuning the 3rd String

Place your finger on the 4th string - at the 5th fret. Strike the 4th string. Strike the 3rd string - open.

Tighten or loosen the 3rd string until the two tones sound the same. When they sound the same, these two strings are in tune.

Place your finger on the 3rd string - at the 4th fret. Strike the 3rd string. Strike the 2nd string - open.

Tighten or loosen the 2nd string until the two tones sound the same. When they sound the same, these two strings are in tune.

If you are tuning a steel string guitar the B (2nd)string may sometimes be difficult to tune correctly.

This string, as well as the 1st string, does not have a bronze or other metal winding around it like the others. Therefore, it tends to be more sensitive to the tightening / loosening process.

Do not become discouraged. You will learn the various "quirks" of your guitar over time bringing you that much closer to your instrument.

Return to the 5th fret. Place your finger on the 2nd string - at the 5th fret. Strike the 2nd string. Strike the 1st string - open. Tighten or loosen the 1st string until the two tones sound the same. When they sound the same, these two strings are in tune.

At this point all the strings should be in tune with each other and, therefore, your guitar is now in tune.

The easiest way to check your tuning is to play a chord. If your guitar is not in tune, the chord will not sound right. Go back to step 1.

Repeat the tuning process by checking each string. This is known as "fine tuning".

Do not become discouraged if you have trouble hearing the pitches. It will take time to develop an "ear" for tuning the guitar. An easy way to determine whether the string you are tuning is sharp or flat to your reference pitch is to loosen it until it is obvious that the pitch is lower, then slowly tighten the string until it comes "up to pitch".

If you tune the string too high simply lower it and try again. Tightening the string will stretch it giving it maximum tension. By contrast, lowering a string to pitch will not assure this maximum tension and will most likely slip a little bit causing the string to go flat.

Another way to assure that your guitar will stay in tune is to keep a good set of strings on it. As strings get older they tend to stretch out and lose their tonal brilliance. If your guitar sounds "dull", try putting on a new set of strings. You will be amazed at the difference.

Be warned, however, that when strings are new they will continue to stretch for the first few hours causing them to loosen and go flat. Once they have achieved their optimum tension they should stay in tune.

There are other ways to get your guitar in tune. Electronic tuners are very popular and are handy when you are in a noisy environment, and you are having difficulty hearing your instrument well enough to determine the correct pitch. However, only you will know the particular "quirks" of your instrument

and although the machine might tell you that your guitar is in tune it is always best to double check using the traditional method. Also, you will never develop an "ear" if you consistently rely on electronic guitar tuners. Tuning by "ear" is a time honored "art". Tuning by "sight" is merely convenient.